ON THE BOEING FRONT    

Boeing to Open Fourth 737 Production Line In Everett

Boeing plans in 2024 to expand its 737 Max production footprint by opening a new production line at its facility in Everett, supplementing the three 737 lines at its original 737 assembly site in Renton.  Stan Deal, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, disclosed the plan in a January 30th e-mail to staff, saying the move will give the company four 737 production lines when the Everett line goes live, expected in the second half of 2024.

“To be clear, we are not taking the 737 out of Renton, just adding capacity to capture customer demand, especially for the newer models like the Max 8-200 and the 737 Max 10”.   Deal’s message says “Given the proximity to Renton, Everett is great fit, with availability of highly skilled workers and factory space.  This undertaking is significant,” Deal’s note says.

“ In addition to preparing the facility, we have begun the process of notifying our suppliers, customers, unions and employees as we take the necessary steps to create a new line.  We are methodically working through all our checks and balances, keeping safety and quality top of mind.”

Deal cites demand for the 737 Max8-200s and the Max 10s for driving the expansion.  The Max 8-200 is a high-capacity, 210 passenger variant of the baseline Max 8; while the 737 Max-10 is the largest variant of the Max family, with capacity to carry 230 passengers.  The Max 10 is not yet certificated but Boeing aims to clear that milestone by early 2024.

Source: Boeing, Picture Boeing

                               Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries in January

Boeing handed over 38 aircraft to customers in January, a month during which the company’s deliveries are typically slower than during other periods, Boeing reported on February 14.

The delivered aircraft included 35 737 Max, among them jets received by lessors AerCap,  Air Lease and Avalon Aerospace Leasing and by carriers including Copa Airlines, FlyDubai, Ryanair, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.

Boeing’s January deliveries also included three 787s one -10 to KLM and one-9 each to Lufthansa and Qatar Airways.

The company’s 38 deliveries last month compare to 69 aircraft (including 54 737s) it delivered in prior month, December 2022.

Also in January, Boeing bolstered its backlog with new orders for 55 aircraft, including 33 737 Max, 7 787s and 15 767-based KC-46 aerial refueling tankers.

Japan’s Skymark Airlines placed four of the 737 Max orders, Germany’s TUI Travel ordered another four and unidentified customers ordered the remaining 25, Boeing says.

On the negative side, unnamed customers cancelled orders in January for 39 737 Max, leaving Boeing’s net orders for the period to 16.  By comparison, Boeing landed 203 net new orders in December 2022 and 55 in January 2022.

January’s changes, combined with accounting adjustments, left Boeing on January 31 with 4,585 aircraft in its backlog, including 3,634 737s, 121 767s, 313 777s, 516 787s and one 747. ( it delivered the final 747 in February closing out the 747 production program.) Boeing’s backlog is up by 269 aircraft from one year ago.

Source: Boeing                   

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                Qatar Airways & Airbus Reach Settlement in Legal Dispute

Qatar Airways and Airbus have reached a mutually agreeable settlement in relation to their legal dispute over A350 surface degradation and grounding of A350 aircraft.  The details of the settlement are confidential and the parties will now proceed to discontinue their legal claims.  The settlement agreement is not an admission of liability for either party.

Qatar Airways is to reinstate in full its remaining orders for 23 Airbus A350s as well as 50 A321neos, which had been cancelled during its legal dispute with Airbus.  But while A350 deliveries are likely to resume this year, FlightGlobal understands, the A321neos will be pushed back to 2026.

While Qatar’s production slots have been protected to a degree, the interruption to the carrier’s order, single-aisle manufacturing capacity constrained, and the popularity of the A321neo has resulted in less flexibility for reinstating the agreement.

Sources: Airbus, FlightGlobal, Picture Airbus 

                           Airbus Orders and Deliveries In January

Airbus has recorded net orders for 36 aircraft all single-aisle models for the first month of the year.

Airbus listed orders for a dozen A320neo family jets from Uzbekistan Airways and a dozen A220-300s for Delta Air Lines.

It also revealed an agreement for 12 aircraft, six A321neos and six A320neos from an undisclosed customer.

Airbus rounded off January orders with a single A320neo for Middle Eastern lessor DAE Capital.

It did not list any firm agreements for long-haul aircraft types.

Airbus delivered 20 aircraft over the month, comprising 18 single-aisle jets plus an A350-900 for Starlux Airlines and an A330-900 for Virgin Atlantic.

Both of the widebodies have been delivered via US leader Air Lease.

Source: Airbus               

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

      StandardAero Completes Western Jet Aviation Acquisition

StandardAero closed on the purchase of Van Nuys, California, based Gulfstream maintenance specialist Western Jet Aviation. The acquisition is StandardAero’s 12th since 2015 and adds significant Gulfstream airframe MRO capability.  It has more than 120,000 sq ft of hanger, shop, ramp, and office space on a 10-acre facility, nearly 100 personnel, and Western Jet’s avionics and interior shops.

The move also marks a return to the West Coast for StandardAero, which previously operated an MRO facility at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) but closed it in 2018.  ”When we departed LAX, we’d been looking for a location on the West Coast,” said Colleen Back, StandardAero senior commercial director, airframe, who is heading up the integration effort for the acquisition.

“ Van Nuys is one of the busiest business aviation airports in the country, and this will add a large Gulfstream footprint to the company”.  Western Jet founder and owner Jim Hansen said the sale of his company, which he opened in 1999, was bittersweet, but he is excited about the opportunities offered by StandardAero.   He has worked at Nuys Airport for the past 50 years, starting as a mechanic for the Jet Center and other companies before opening Western Jet.  Hansen plans to stay with StandardAero as an executive consultant.

Source: StandardAero

      Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Axes SpaceJet Program

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries confirmed the cancellation of the SpaceJet regional airliner program, nearly two and a half years after suspending development.

In discussion of its first quarter to 3rd quarter financial results, the company cited an insufficient initial understanding of the complex type certification process for commercial aircraft and inadequate financial resources to continue long-term development as the main “lessons learned” from the 15-year exercise.

The Company also said it failed to confirm the viability of resuming program activity since its suspension in October 2020, due to four main reasons.  The first involved further technical revisions necessary to resume prolonged development and need for decarbonization solutions.  Second, the company said it ran into difficulty gaining the necessary cooperation from global partners. Third it also cited little progress on scope clauses in the U.S.; the airplane’s biggest target market but one in which the maximum takeoff weight of the larger of the two SpiceJet derivatives the M90 exceeded the limits specified by language in the pilot union contracts of most regional airlines’ major partners.

Fourth reason it cited pilot shortages, which MHI said adds to the uncertainty of regional jets’ business viability.

Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,Picture Mitsubishi Heavy industries                                                                 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

           Avolon Delivers 5 New Boeing 737 Max-8s to Akasa Air

Aircraft Leasing company, Avolon, has delivered five new Boeing 737 Max 8s aircraft to Akasa Air, India’s newest airline.  Paul Geaney, President and chief commercial officer at Avolon commented: “ We are excited to support new entrants to the markets it is a pleasure to have completed this transaction to lease five new narrowbody aircraft to Akasa.   We congratulate Akasa on their successful launch and look forward to building on our strong relationship with them.”

Bhavin Joshi, co-founder and senior vice president leasing and procurement at Akasa Air said: “ Since our launch last August we have rapidly added capacity, new routes and welcomed one million passengers to our unique offering.  We are delighted to join hands with Avolon and will continue to invest in new technology aircraft that can offer superior reliability and carbon efficiency.”

Sources: Akasa/Avolon, Image Akasa/Avolon

                         KlasJet Expands Wet-lease Fleet With 737-800s

Baltic corporate charter specialist KlasJet is expanding its fleet of Boeing 737s to underpin passenger wet-lease operations ahead of the summer season.  It is introducing eight 737-800s which will be configured with 186 to 189 seats, in an all economy layout.

Vilnius-based KlasJet is aiming to reach a fleet of 15-800s by the end of this year and expand its passenger wet-lease fleet to 35 within five years.  “We see a very strong need for wet-lease in the market right now and it’s expected to grow,” says KlasJet deputy chief Lukas Petrauskas.

The airline has pointed out that lower supply of Boeing jets this year could constrain capacity for carriers expecting deliveries for the peak season.   The company, part of Avid Solutions Group, already has several older-variant 737s a mix of -300s and -500 which are configured with low-density seating.

It recently disclosed that it was reinforcing its business charter fleet with a 23-seat BoeingBBJ2 from April this year, which would be stationed in Dubai.

KlassJet is aiming to offer 737 capacity to carriers affected by lower delivery rates.

Source: Avia Solutions Group, Picture KlasJet

            CFM Aims to Deliver 1,700 Leap Engines in 2023

Safran is confident that 1,700 CFM International Leap-series narrow body engines can be delivered in 2023, a 600 unit increase on 2022 despite ongoing supply chain disruption.  Last year, CFM shipped 1,136 leap power plants, up 34% on 2021’s 845 engines.

But the Safran_GE Aerospace joint venture expects to raise output further, by around 50% over the course of 2023 to match growing demand from Airbus and Boeing.  However, supply constraints in 2022 caused CFM and rival Pratt & Whitney to miss delivery targets to the airframers.   Consequently, Airbus failed to reach its delivery goal for the year.

Nonetheless, Safran believes its 2023 output forecast is attainable.  ”We are confident on 1,700 we have discussed it with our partner GE and we are confident we should be able to be around there,”  says chief executive Olivier Andries.  ”This is meeting our two airframers’ demands.”

Both Airbus and Boeing plan to increase production of their respective A320neo and 737 Max narrowbody families in 2023.  The Leap-1A is on option on the Neo, while the -1B variant is the exclusive power plant on the Max.

Andries, briefing analysts on Safran’s full-year results on February 17, said “that overall supply chain situation has not eased, it has improved a bit on propulsion.”

Source: Safran, Picture Safran

      

LATEST NEWS

• Norwegian Air agreed with Air Lease to lease six additional Boeing 737 Max 8 with delivery well ahead of the Northern hemisphere summer season.

• Boeing has agreements to purchase 5.6 million gallons ( 21.2 million liters) of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced by SAF producer Neste, to support its U.S. commercial operations through 2023.
• SmartLynx Airlines has agreed to take a pair of 737 Max jets from lessor SMBC Aviation Capital.

• Alaska Airlines unit Horizon Air operated the last of its De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s flights on January 8.

• GE Aerospace received an order of GE Aerospace and CFM International engines, including 800 Leap engines, 40 GEnx-1B and 20 GE9X engines with long-term service contracts to power the recent Boeing order from Air India.

• Scoot has committed to taking nine Embraer E190-E2 jets from lessor Azorra, making it Southeast Asia’s first E2 family operator.
• Emirates is preparing for the introduction of its Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X fleets with a new pilot-training facility in Dubai.  The facility, to be sited next to its current training center, is scheduled to open next year.

Sources: Tata advanced systems, Alaska Airlines, Norwegian, Boeing, GE Aerospace, FlightGlobal

                                               AIR CARGO

                Final Boeing 747 Departs Everett for Its New Home

The final Boeing 747 to be built left the airframes’s Everett, Washington, plant on February 1, closing a five decade long era for the company.  The aircraft with the registration number N863GT, which was delivered to cargo carrier Atlas Air Worldwide on January 31, left its parking position at precisely 7:47 local time, and received a water cannon salute as it taxied to runway 16R at Paine Field, north of Seattle.

It lifted off from the airfield at 8:19 local time, and headed southeast for Atlas hub Cincinnati.  Before it left the Seattle area, however, it performed one final fly-by over the factory complex which has produced 1,574 of the type since 1969.

But while the events over the past two days mark the end of a successful chapter in Boeing’s history, the youngest 747 airframe will likely fly for the next 40 years, says Atlas Air chief executive officer Jon Dietrich.  Atlas was the customer for the final airframes that Boeing produced.

“There’s no specific replacement to the 747-8 and that’s why we are so excited to take the last four,” Dietrich said. Atlas now operates 56 of the type in its all Boeing fleet.

Source: Boeing, Atlas Air, Picture Atlas Air

OTHER NOTEWORTHY NEWS

            Air India Orders 250 Airbus Aircraft and 290 Boeing Jets

The order aims to both modernize and expand the airline’s fleet with the objective of creating a larger and premium full-service carrier that will cater to the growing travel demand in the region.  Deliveries are set to start commencing with the first A350-900 arriving by late this year.

“Airbus has been a longstanding partner of Air India, and these new aircraft will play an important part in Air India’s comprehensive transformation and growth strategy,” said Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD, Air India.

“ A core element of this transformation is a significant expansion of our network, both domestically and internationally, coupled with elevation of our on-ground and onboard product to world class standards.  This order marks the start of a new chapter for both Airbus and Air India.”

Air India has also selected Boeing’s family of fuel-efficient aircraft to expand its future fleet with plans to invest in 190 737 MAX, 20 787 Dreamliner and 10 777X aircraft.

The agreement between Boeing and Air India includes options for 50 additional 737 MAXs and 20 787-9s.  When finalized, this will be the largest Boeing order in South Asia and a historic milestone in the aerospace company’s nearly 90-year partnership with the carrier.

Air India has also contracted with Boeing Global Services for lifecycle support services, including digital solutions, spare parts and landing gear exchange programs, pilot and maintenance technician training, aircraft modifications and other services.

Sources: Airbus, Boeing, Air India, Picture Boeing

                         

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

    

                         

ON THE BOEING FRONT

                                     Boeing Hits 2022 Delivery Target After Strong December

Boeing ended up exceeding its twice-revised 737 delivery goal for 2022; shipping 387 of the narrowbody jets during the year, thanks to the rapid pace of deliveries in December.  In addition, Boeing logged new orders for the final month of 2022 for 250 aircraft.   The highest monthly total for several years according to the airframer’s latest performance figures, disclosed on January 10.  Boeing ended the year with 4,578 jets in its backlog, up from 4,250 at the end of 2021.

It is worth noting that Boeing revised its delivery target twice last year.  The manufacturer started with what proved an ambitious goal of delivering 500 737s, including 737NGS before year-end.  As 2022 progressed, operational troubles accumulated and executives repeatedly tried to estimate, ultimately cutting it in November to 375.

Boeing actually exceeded figures with the 387 737s deliver last year, albeit that 13 were 737NGs for military programs along side 374 737 Max jets.

Boeing’s delivery pace ticked up in December, when it handed over 54 737s more than in any other month last year. Notably, Southwest Airlines alone received 18 737 Max in December, the most Maxs Boeing has ever delivered to a single buyer in a month, it says and United Airlines took 11 of the type.

Also in December, Boeing delivered 15 widebody jets, including 10 787s, two 767-300 Freighters and three 777Fs.

United was the largest contributor to Boeing’s Commercial aircraft business in December, handing the US airframer fresh orders for 90 737 Max and 90 787s.  When disclosing those orders in December, United said it would take 100 of each type; but Boeing now says the total included orders for 10 of each aircraft it had not disclosed the identity of the customer.

Boeing’s other 737 Max deals in December included orders for 40 aircraft from BOC Aviation, five from Pembroke Capital, five from Avolon Aerospace Leasing and nine to undisclosed customers.

Its other 787 orders in December included two from Avolon, one from El Al Israel Airlines, two from Hawaiian Airlines and six where the customer was not  revealed.  Boeing has reported 774 commercial orders last year after cancellations and conversions.

Source: Boeing, Picture United Airlines     

                      

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                             Airbus Falls Short of 2022 Delivery Target, Blames Supply Chain

Airbus fell short of meeting 2022 delivery target by 39 airplanes, thanks to a supply chain environment company CEO Guillaume Faury said remains at a  “very low point” during a media call on January 10.  The delivery tally of 661 airplanes represented just 8 percent over the company’s total in 2021, when the company largely overcame Covid-Related market complexities to exceed its delivery target of 600 aircraft by 11 units.

Notwithstanding the supply chain challenges, Airbus COO Christian Scherer portrayed the market environment last year as robust, as the company collected gross orders for 1,078 airplanes and registered a net order of 820.  He also characterized cancellations as “in line with previous years”.

The Airframer handed 98 aircraft in December.  Airbus recorded 10 A350s, but a net deficit of 65 A330s.  Its single-aisle range however, was 875 net orders including 105 A220s.

Airbus long-haul activity picked up slightly in the closing weeks of last year, with the airframer recording an order for four A350 freighters from undisclosed customer.

It also booked 10 A330neos from lessor Avolon and a pair of A350-900s from a client identified simply a ‘financial institution’ during December.  Airbus unusually did not record any single-aisle orders for the month; however, it removed 21 A220s from the backlog.   All 20 were previously assigned to Lease Corporation International, plus one for Macquarie Air Finance.

Source: Airbus, Picture Airbus                 

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                                                  ATR Delivers First ATR 72-600 to Maldivian

ATR and Maldives’ national airline Maldivian announced on January 3rd, the delivery of the carrier’s first ATR 72-600, as part of a firm deal for two ATR 72-600 and one ATR 42-600.  The latest generation turboprops will replace the airline aging models, contributing to offer best-in class fuel consumption, CO 2 emissions, operating costs, and passenger comfort.

Equipped with brand new PW127XT engine, soon to be 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel compatible, the brand new aircraft will contribute to offer local communities and tourists with further affordable and sustainable connectivity.  The PW127XT offers 20% lower maintenance costs and 3% reduction in fuel consumption compared to ATR’s previous generation engine.

Having a mixed fleet of ATR 72 and 42 aircraft will also provide Maldivian with maximum flexibility and the capacity to constantly adjust to passenger demand.

Source: ATR, Picture ATR

                                           Textron Marks Delivery of 3,000th Caravan

Textron Aviation has delivered the 3,000th Cessna Caravan, the company announced on January 13.  The milestone aircraft, a Grand CaravanEX, was purchased by Azula Conecta, a subsidiary of Brazilian airline Azul, and will be based at Jundai Airport in Sao Paulo.

Employees and representatives from Azul Conecta attended the ceremony at Textron Aviation’s plant in Independence, Kansas, to mark the delivery.   “The Cessna Caravan’s versatility and reliability have made it the most popular aircraft in the utility turboprop category,” said Lannie O’Bannon, senior v-p of sales and flight operations at Textron Aviation.

Introduced by Cessna in 1985, the airplane offers low operating costs, with a short-takeoff capability in mountainous terrain and is designed for rugged utility use in remote areas.  Sales of the Caravan were also propelled by TedEx, whose initial order for 30 of the airplanes later swelled to 300.

“ The Grand Caravan EX will proudly fly the Brazilian skies and connect our 158 destinations, many of which are made possible by the aircraft’s utility & flexibility,” said Flavio Costa, chief technical officer of Azul & president of Azul Conecta.

Source: Textron Aviation, Picture Textron Aviation                                                                 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

L3Harris SRVIR25 Receives Supplemental Type Certification For Installation and Economical Recorder Replacements On Boeing 737NG Aircraft

Operators of Boeing 737NGs can now take advantage of the latest generation flight-data and cockpit-voice recorders approval for retrofit.  In addition, the validation will allow carriers using Canadian-registered 737s to meet a safety mandate that comes into force this year.

• L3Harris Technologies has received supplemental type certification from The FAA And Transport Canada for installation of its SRVIVR25 A757 recorder on the Boeing narrowbody.  The same system is already standard equipment on the latest Airbus single-aisle aircraft.

Highlights of the SRVIVR25 A757:

. Provides technology upgrades and capabilities which extends the product lifecycle.

. Reduces maintenance costs and provides in-service recorder updates and fleet commonality.

. Exceeds current and future voice and light data recorder global mandates and recommendations

Source: L3Harris, Picture L3Harris

                            TUI Looks To Transition to Boeing 737 Max and 787 Fleets

TUI continues to plan for a full roll-over of its widebody fleet to Boeing 787s and its narrowbody fleet to Boeing 737 Max jetliners.  Unfortunately the progress of the Germany-based tourism group’s fleet renewal has slowed due to Max grounding, Covid-19 and Boeing’s struggle to deliver a steady stream of new aircraft.

“For us, right now, it is important that the MAX 10 gets certified and enters into service,” Marco Ciomperlik, chief airline officer of TUI Group, told AIN.  “But our main focus is of course to make further progress on the Max 8 deliveries.”

The Max8 and Max10 will constitute the group’s narrowbody fleet across its five subsidiaries, consisting of TUI Airways in the UK; TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Netherlands, TUI fly Germany, and Sweden-based TUI fly Nordic.  The carriers operate from around 30 bases in Europe and fly customers to the group’s more than 400 hotels and 16 cruise ships in all major holiday destinations around the globe.

The TUI Group served 16.7 million customers in the financial year ending September 30, 2022, up 212 percent year-on year, of which most flew on TUI Airline’s own airplanes.  Load factor averaged well above 90 percent.

The TUI Group has acquired 72 Max jetliners and in 2018 converted 18 of the orders for the 737-8s to the Max 10s, becoming the first European operator to select the largest Max variant, which can seat up to 230 passengers in a single-class layout.

TUI Group has taken delivery of 37 Max 8s to replace its less fuel-efficient Next-Generation 737s.  TUI does not intend to change its strategy to source all its aircraft from Boeing, despite the several problems that have beset the U.S. airframer over recent years.  ”I think that for an airline our size, a single provider and one-type provider narrowbody fleet has its advantages, in terms of licensing, spare parts, commonality, pricing, and so on,” said Ciomperlik.

“ We know they have issues, but we have a long-standing relationship with them, of more than 50 years.We have been global or regional launch customers of every aircraft type since the 757.”

On the wide body side, the TUI Group plans for a uniform 787 fleet.  “ We have already phased out all out 757s and the four last 767-300ERs are slated to leave the fleet in the next two years,” noted Ciomperlik.   The company ordered 19 GEnx-1B powered Dreamliners, a mix of -8s and the larger-9s with 300 and 345 seats, respectively and has taken delivery of all of them.

Source: TUI Group,Picture TUI,AIN

                                            Australian LCC Startup Bonza Awarded AOC

Australian low-cost operator Bonza has been awarded its air operator’s certificate, paving the way for an imminent launch after lengthy delays.  In a Linkedin post on January 12, Bonza, Australian slang for excellent or first-rate, says it is working to launch ticket sales from its Sunshine Coast Hub.

It adds: “With the approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, 2023 is set to be even bigger year for domestic tourism.  We can’t wait to connect communities and in turn, stimulate new markets for Australia’s domestic tourism industry.”

Bonza, Australia’s first independent low-cost carrier in nearly a decade, is backed by Miami private equity firm 777 Partners, which also owns Canadian low-cost operator Flair Airlines.  The airline in August 2022 took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8, which came from 777 Partners’ order book.  It has three MAX 8s in its fleet.

Bonza touts a different operating model from other low-cost operators: point -to- point services from secondary cities in Australia, eschewing operations within the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Source: Bonza, Picture Bonza       

LATEST NEWS

• Uzbekistan Airways ordered 12 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft as part of a fleet modernization.

• Croatia Airlines is to take six new Airbus A220s from US lessor Air Lease, including a pair of A220-100s.

• Hawaiian Airlines has ordered two additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, bringing the airline’s firm order of the type to 12.

• air Baltic the Latvian national airline welcomed its 39th Airbus A220-300 jet to its fleet.

• Alaska Airlines operated its last revenue-generating A320 services on January 9th, with the final flight-operating to Victorville – taking place on the 10th.  The A320 joined Alaska’s fleet in 2018 following the tie-up with Virgin America.

• Skymark Airlines has confirmed an order for up to six Boeing Max aircraft to support its post-pandemic growth plans.  The carrier’s board approved the order during a January 18th meeting.

• Delta Air Lines has firmed up an order for a dozen more Airbus A220-300 aircraft, bringing the airline’s total firm order to 119 aircraft.

• Israeli Firm Elbit Systems is to supply the large main-deck door for the Boeing 777-8 freighter, under an aerostructures agreement with Boeing.

Sources: Air Lease, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta Airlines, Skymark Airlines, Alaska Airlines, FlightGlobal, Elbit Systems

AIR CARGO

                                         MSC Mediterranean Lauches Air Cargo Operations

MSC Mediterranean Shipping stepped into the air cargo industry on November 28, 2022, as its operating partner Atlas Air took delivery of a Boeing 777-200LRF Freighter, which Atlas Air will operate on behalf of MSC.

“We are delighted to see the first of our MSC-branded aircraft take to the skies and we are looking forward to start serving the market with our new air cargo solution,” Jannie Davel, vice-president of air cargo at MSC, said.

“We believe that MSC Air Cargo is developing from a solid foundation thanks to reliable on going support of our operating partner Atlas.”

The aircraft was delivered apart of a long-term aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance agreement between the Purchase, New York-based Atlas and MSC, which is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

It is the first of four new 777-200LRFs that Atlas will operate for MSC, which is eying an expansion into booming post-pandemic air cargo market, driven largely by high ocean shipping rates and the broad shift to online shopping.

“We are looking forward to this partnership with MSC, the world’s largest shipping company as they enter into air cargo,” says John Dietrich, Atlas’ Chief Executive.  “We are pleased that all four of our newly acquired 777-200LRFs are placed on a long-term basis with MSC, providing them with dedicated capacity to support their growth and expansion.”

The longest-range twin-engine freighter in the world, the 777-200LRF is capable of flights as far as 4,880nm (9038km).  Atlas expects the other three 777-200LRFs will be delivered throughout 2023.

Source: Atlas Air, MSC Mediterranean, Picture MSC Mediterranean

                        

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

ON THE BOEING FRONT

                                                Boeing Left With a Single Undelivered 747

Boeing has delivered the second-to-last production 747-8F to Atlas Air on November 23rd.  Atlas has now received the third of four 747-8 freighters that it ordered from Boeing in January 2021.  The single remaining in -production 747 also a 747-8F destined for Atlas Air left Boeing Production line on December 6th in advance of its delivery to Atlas Air early this year.  The aircraft, -8 Freighter (MSN67150) the operator has seven 747-8F in operation, according to Cirium fleet data.

The Boeing 747 program began production in 1967, with the first example making its debut in 1969.  With the last built 747 Boeing has delivered 1574 747s of five major variants.  The first 747 took off on its maiden flight more than 53 years ago, in February 1969.  The 747 proved a remarkably enduring aircraft, remaining in production even as Airbus started, then stopped producing the larger A380, many thought would kill of the 747.

Boeing offered both passenger and freighter 747-8 variants, which are powered by four 66, 500 lb thrust GE Aerospace GEnx-2B turbofans.  The 747-8F proved popular thanks largely to its ability to carry heavy loads over long distances, such as the Pacific Ocean.

The freighters have 4, 325nm (8010km) range, capacity to carry 133.1 ton (293, 400 lb) of revenue-generating cargo and space for 34 cargo pallets on its main deck, according to Boeing.  The 747 has played a key role in Boeing’s history of aerospace leadership.

Source: Boeing, Picture Boeing

                                   Boeing Orders and Deliveries For November

Boeing added more orders to its backlog with fresh orders for 737 Max and 767 freighters in November, and closed the month without logging any further cancellations.

During November, Boeing took orders for 21 aircraft, including for 18 737 Max placed by an unnamed customer or customers.  Additionally, FedEx ordered one 767-300F and Japan ordered two 767-based KC-46 aerial refueling tankers, the company said on December 13th.

These deals brought Boeing’s total 2022 orders through November to 685 aircraft, including 548 737s and 137 widebody jets. November was strong month for deliveries, with Boeing handing over 48 aircraft, up from 35 in October.

Shipments included 33 737s for various airlines and one 737NG-based P-8 military surveillance jet to South Korea.  In addition, Boeing delivered 15 widebody jets including one 747, six 767s, two 777s and six 787s.

Source: Boeing                 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                      U. S. Approves Conditions for Airbus A321XLR to Address Fire Risks

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it has approved special conditions for the Airbus A321XLR after concerns were raised that a novel type of fuel tank could pose fire risks in its newest narrow-body jet.

Rival plane maker, Boeing, told European regulators in 2021 the architecture of fuel tank intended to increase the A321XLR’s range ”presents many potential hazards”.

The FAA said in a filing seen by Reuters that it will require that the lower half of the A321XLR fuselage, spanning the longitudinal area of the tank, be resistant to fire penetration to protect passengers.  The FAA publication provides further clarity surrounding the development of the new jet, whose introduction has been delayed to 2024.  Industry sources say proposed delivery schedules of the longer-range single-aisle jet have been left in a state of flux while regulators pondered how to treat the novel design.

“While discussions with the airworthiness are still on going, we are not in a position to comment during the public consultation period”, an Airbus spokesperson said.  Entry-to-service remains scheduled for the second quarter of 2024, the spokesperson added.

The FAA said the special conditions are needed because the new Airbus twin-engine plane includes an extra fuel tank moulded into the airplane fuselage rather than its wings.  The tank is in an area of the lower fuselage that partially replaces the rear cargo compartment of earlier aircraft designs.

Sources: FAA Publication, Ed’s research, Reuters, Airbus

                           Airbus to Fall Short of 2022 Deliveries of 2022 Deliveries Target

Airbus no longer expects to achieve its target of “ around 700 ” commercial aircraft deliveries for 2022, citing the “complex” operating environment.  The European aircraft manufacturer gave the updated guidance after delivering 68 aircraft in November.  That took deliveries to 565 as of the end of November.

Alongside 68 aircraft deliveries in November, Airbus registered 29 new orders and 14 cancellations during the month.

Source: Airbus               

                               REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                                             Japan’s Oriental Bridge Takes First ATR 42- 600

Japanese regional carrier Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) has taken delivery of its first ATR 42-600, which it will operate on regional routes out of Nagasaki.  The carrier will commence services with the 48-seat aircraft in July of this year, according to ATR. The carrier ordered the aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow in July .

The aircraft delivered in Toulouse carries the brand-new ORC livery.   The Japanese carrier will plan to start operating the ATR aircraft in July 2023 to further support the airline’s domestic activities in providing essential connectivity from Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu in Japan.

ATR will support the aircraft through a Global Maintenance agreement contract.  Cirium fleets data indicates that ORC also operates De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q200s with an average age of 22.2 years’ single Airbus Helicopters AS365-N3+ helicopter.

Source: Oriental Air Bridge, Picture ATR

                                       Pilatus Aircraft Delivers Last PC-6 Porter

On December 12, 2022, the last PC-6 Porter was delivered to Indonesian charter operator Smart Aviation, marking the end of 63-year production run for the rugged, unpressurized turboprop single.

Stans, Switzerland-Pilatus announced in 2017 that it planned to cease P-6 production in 2019, but the pandemic and other delays stretched that to 2022.  At the time, the aircraft manufacturer said it was dropping the PC-6 line to focus more of its attention on the PC-24 twinjet.

According to Pilatus, 604 of the multi-role Pilatus Porters were produced since 1959, with more than 500 made at the manufacturer’s Stans headquarters and 100 manufactured in the US under license.  The PC-6 is known for its short and landing capabilities and general versatility.

Source: Pilatus, Picture Pilatus                                                                 

                                OTHER AVIATION NEWS

                     United Airlines Reboot for Long-and Short-Haul Fleet with Boeing

United turned to Boeing for a firm order for 100 787 Deamliners, with options for 100 more, and also announced the purchase of 100 737 Max aircraft (including 56 new orders and confirmation of 44 Options).

Under the agreement with Boeing, United will start taking delivery of the 787s between 2024 and 2026.  It will choose the mix of the-8, -9 and -10 models to serve various long haul routes, in what United says is the largest widebody aircraft order ever placed by a U.S. carrier.

As part of the United next 206 fleet capacity plan, the airline will take the first batch of 44 747 Max twinsets between 2024 and 2026, with additional 56 units to follow in 2027 and 2028.  The Company says it expects to take delivery of some 700 airliners by the end of 2032, with an average of more than two each week in 2023 rising to three each week in 2024.

The 787 Dreamliners will replace older 767 and 777 wide bodies, with the older 767s due to be completely removed from United’s fleet by 2030.  Depending on the final choice of specific 787 and 737 Max models, the deal with Boeing is likely to be valued at least $65 billion, based on current lis prices.

Source: Boeing, Photo Boeing

                                      New Zealand Receives First P-8 Poseidon

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has taken delivery of its first Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft at a ceremony in Seattle’s Boeing Field.  The aircraft is the first of four examples that the Pacific nation is acquiring to replace its six Lockheed P-3K2 Orions.  New Zealand’s Consul-General to Los Angeles, Clarke-Watson, represented Wellington at the ceremony.

“For New Zealand, as a maritime nation and one of the world’s largest Exclusive Economic Zones, the ability to quickly survey the ocean is vital,” says Clark-Watson.

The aircraft, obtained under the US government’s Foreign Military Sales process, will be stationed at RNZAF Ohakea.  Boeing will provide sustainment under its P-8 International Program.  Wellington’s remaining three P-8s are in advance stages of production, with delivery due in 2023, says Boeing.

Boeing has awarded Lufthansa Technik a contract for sustainment services with its support of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s future fleet of four P-8A aircraft that will leverage commercial capabilities to improve readiness rates.

Source: Boeing, Photo Boeing

Rolls- Royce UltraFan Technology Demonstrator Build Complete & Getting Ready for Testing

On December 19, 2022, Rolls-Royce announced it has completed building and is preparing to test its UltraFan technology demonstrator.  In a major milestone for the program, the demonstrator engine was transported from the build workshop and into Testbed 80 in Derby, UK, where it was mounted in preparation for testing.  The first test demonstrator is expected to take place early this year and will be operated using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Chris Cholerton, President of Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace, said: “Seeing the UltraFan demonstrator come together and getting ready to test in Testbed 80 is a great way to end 2022.  We have all been waiting for this moment, which is such an important milestone for the program and for the team who have worked on it.”

The next stage will be to see UltraFan run for the first time on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel, proving the technology is ready to support more sustainable flight in the future.”  Combing a brand new engine design with a suite of technologies to support sustainable air travel for decades to come, the UltraFan demonstrator has a fan diameter of 140 inches and offers a 25% fuel efficiency improve meant compared with the first generation of Trent engine.

UltraFan offers a variety of sustainability solutions that will support the journey to net zero aviation.  In the nearer term, there are options to transfer technologies from the UltraFan development program to current Trent engines to deliver enhanced fuel efficiency and reduction in emissions.  In the longer term, UltraFan’s scalable technology from -25, 000 -110, 000 lb thrust delivers the potential to further improve fuel efficiency of both narrowbody and widebody aircraft by up to 10 per cent.

Testbed 80, the world’s largest and smartest testbed, was designed and built especially to accommodate the size and technical complexity of the UltraFan demonstrator.  It was opened in 2020 and has already completed many hours of experimental engine testing.

Source: Rolls-Royce, Photo Rolls-Royce  

LATEST NEWS

• NetJets has ordered four of Bombardier’s ultra-long-range, newly rebooted Global 8000 business jets in a deal with a list-price value of $312 million.

• L3Harris Technologies intend to acquire propulsion systems expert Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings in an all-cash deal valued at $4.7 billion, the companies said on December 18.

• Condor German leisure has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-900, one of 16 which will modernize its fleet.

• Air Greenland has become the third operator of the Airbus A330-800 following delivery of the single example ordered by the airline.

• Ethiopian Airlines Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines again partnered to bring humanitarian aid to those in need— this time using the airline’s three recently delivered 737 Max 8 airplanes to transport more than 12,000 pounds of supplies to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• Bombardier is to open its sixth service center outside the USA, breaking ground on December 6th on a 9, 300 sq m (100 sq ft) site at Abu Dhabi International airport.

• Uzbek Start-Up Silk Avia has agreed to a deal to acquire five new ATR 72-600 turboprops, becoming the first operator of the type in Central Asia.

Sources: NetJets, Condor,  Air Greenland,  Airbus,  Boeing,  Ethiopian, Bombardier.

                                              AIR CARGO

                         Nippon Cargo Airlines Extends GEnx Support Agreement

Japan’s Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) has extended its support agreement for the GE Aerospace GEnx-2B engines that power its Boeing 747-8F fleet.  The Extension runs for six years, and extends the “Rate Per Flight Hour Engine Services Agreement” between the two companies, says GE Aerospace.

“GE Aerospace is proud to support NCA and the GEnx fleet,” said Dave Kircher, General Manager of GEnx Product Line at GE Aerospace.  ”It’s an honor to continue the relationship and provide exemplary service and support.”

NCA And Ge have a long-standing relationship that began with the CF6 engine.  Today NCA operates an extensive fleet of aircraft powered by GE’s CF6 and GEnx.  A unit of Japan’s NYK Line, NCA operates eight 747-8Fs, Cirium fleets data indicates that the average age of its 747-8Fs is 10.3 years.

Source: GE Aviation, Photo NCA

                         

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian   

Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

                                      ON THE BOEING FRONT

                     Boeing Lost No Orders to Cancellations in October,  a First Since July 2019

In October, Boeing logged its first month in more than three years without a single cancellation and padded its backlog with orders for 10 more 787s and more than 100 737 Max aircraft.

It had not reported a cancellation-free month since July 2019, shortly after aviation authorities globally grounded the 737 Max Boeing said on November 8th.

In October, the company landed orders for another 122 aircraft, largely to orders from Alaska Airlines, British Airways and Iberia parent IAG to respectively bought 52 and 50 737 Max jets.  Boeing also received orders in October for one 737 Max from American Airlines, and three Max from an undisclosed customer of customers.

In addition, Boeing has not named which customer or customers placed orders in October for 10 787s.  Those deals throw more momentum behind the 787 program following a delivery halt that lasted roughly 20 months, ending in August.  Also in October, Boeing took commitments for one 767-300 Freighter from FedEx and for five 777Fs from unnamed buyer which turned out to be Emirates.  The combined 122 orders Boeing secured in October were more than it received in any month this year except July.

But the US manufacturer’s pace of aircraft deliveries slowed in October as the company continued struggling to offload aircraft amid a fact of challenges, including its continued inability to deliver the 737 Max to Chinese airlines.

Last month, Boeing delivered 35 aircraft of all types, including  one 737NG -based P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, 22 737 MAX, one 747-8F, two 767-based KC-46 military refueling tankers, two 767-300Fs, one 777F and six 787s.  For the year to end of October, Boeing received orders for 664 aircraft and logged 114 cancellations, leaving it with 550 net orders.

Over the same period, it has delivered 363 aircraft, including 300 737s.  That compares with 268 aircraft, including 201 737s, it shipped in the same 10 months of 2021.  At October 31, Boeing’s backlog stood at 4,441 aircraft, up from 4,4,354 at the end of September.  The backlog includes 3,590 737s, two 747s (for Atlas Air), 111767s, 318 777s and 420 787s.

Source: Boeing

                      

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                                    Airbus Speeds Deliveries, Books Key Chinese Jet Order

Airbus deliveries accelerated in October to reach 497 airplanes so far this year.  An underlying total of 495 after excluding two Aeroflot deliveries cancelled due to Western sanctions against Russia, the planemaker said on Tuesday, November 8th.

Airbus delivered 60 jets in October, up from 55 the previous month.  It still has what most analysts have called a stretching but broadly achievable task to reach a target of 700 deliveries in 2022, following problems with tattered global supply chains.  Within the total deliveries so far this year, widebody deliveries were robust, Airbus said.

Airbus also posted 177 new orders in October after rejigging of new order from British Airways owner IAG, which placed an expanded order for 59 aircraft that superseded an earlier batch of 14 single-aisle jets.  Airbus also booked an order for 40 jets from traditional Boeing operator Xiamen Airlines, which had provisionally added Airbus as a supplier in September in a sign of Beijing’s apparent tilt towards Europe amid tensions with Washington.  Boeing declined comment on the order, whose publication coincide with the first day of Chin’s Zhuhai Airshow.

The update comes on top of existing orders for 140 jets re-announced by China in what expert described as an effort to showcase a visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.  The Xiamen deal brought Airbus orders so far this year above the 1,000 mark.  After 223 cancellations, its 1,033 gross orders fell back to a net total of 810 in the first 10 months.

Sources: Airbus, Reuters 

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                  Embraer Got Chinese Approval for E190-E2, with Larger E195-E2 to Follow

Chinese regulators have certificated the Embraer 190-E2, with the approval process for the larger E195-E2 also under way.  Embraer announced the certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China at the Zhuhai air show on November 10th.  It expects validation for the E195-E2 to “follow shortly”.

The Brazilian airframer has a requirement in China for up to 1,445 new aircraft in the up to 150-seat category over the next 20 years.  The hot-and high performance of the twinsets is an ideal fit for the country’s geography.

“Embraer believes the E-190-E2 is the best aircraft to serve low density but high elevation markets in western China with the right performance, more profitability.”  Its only Chinese customer for the E195-E2 is lessor ICBC, which has a firm order for 10 aircraft. To date, five have been delivered and are operated on lease by KLM Cityhopper,  Cirium fleets data shows.

Source: Embraer, Picture Embraer

                                            Boeing Business Jets Joins Dealers Group

Boeing Business Jets is the newest OEM member of the international Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), the group announced on November 14th.  The manufacturer of the BBJ 737/Max family, BBJ787, and BBJ777X, has delivered more than 260 business jets since its founding in 1996.

“Boeing Business Jets is delighted to be an OEM member of IADA.  The organization of airplane transaction experts has become a force in promoting transparency and integrity in aircraft sales”, said company president Erika Pearson.  ”As the market evolves following the pandemic, we look forward to working with other IADA members to meet the needs of the growing ranks of private flyers.”

The Boeing subsidiary joins airframers Textron Aviation, Bombardier, Airbus Corporate Jets, Dassault Falcon, Gulfstream Aerospace, and Honda Aircraft.  IADA dealers comprise the top 12 percent of aircraft brokers who are involved in 46 percent of used aircraft sales.

Source: ainonline, Boeing Business Jets, Picture Boeing Business Jets                                                                   

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

                               Atlas Air Awarded Extension of Air Force One Pilot Training

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. has announced that the United States Air Force (USAF) has extended its agreement with Atlas Air to train pilots and flight engineers for Air Force One.

Under the five year extension of the agreement, which Atlas Air has held since 2007, crews for the Air Force’s VC-25, a modified version of the Boeing 747-200B, will receive ground and flight-simulator training at Atlas Air’s world-class training center in Miami, Florida.

“Air Force One,” the designated call sign of the aircraft when the President is on board, consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B aircraft.  The past four U.S. presidents have been flown to locations throughout the world by Atlas-trained pilots and flight engineers who received their certification from Atlas Air.

Source: Atlas Air,Picture Boeing

                 Boeing & Lessors Back Study into Potential Irish Sustainable Fuel Facility

Boeing is linking with Irish Lessors Avolon and Orix Aviation, to support energy specialists’ examination of potential sustainable fuel production in Ireland.  The feasibility collaboration is being led by Dutch-based future fuel firm SkyNRG and local sustainability partner SFS Ireland.  They aim to identify opportunities for a commercial-scale sustainable fuel production facility in the country.

SkyNRG chief executive Philippe Lacamp says the study will bring “great value” to Irish aviation’s effort to meet decarbonization aims.  “Each new sustainable aviation fuel research project pathways and sustainable feedstocks are available and helping evaluate how best to assist the aviation industry in meeting undated targets,” he says.

Avolon says planned growth of renewable energy sources makes Ireland a potential location for sustainable aviation fuel production, adding that Ireland is the base for a number of important stakeholders with interest in decarbonizing aviation.  Avolon says the study will be completed next year.

Boeing vice-president for environmental engagement, Sheila Remes, says the industry requires a “massive increase” in sustainable fuel production.  “Scaling sustainable aviation fuel is paramount,” she says. “Ireland’s growth in renewable energy makes it a prime location for production with zero climate impact.”

Source: FlightGlobal,  Avolon, Boeing

                                        First RAF Wedgetail Gains its MSA Radar Array

The first of three Boeing 737NG airframes is undergoing modification into the E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control configuration for the UK, has had its distinctive “top hat” radar array installed.

The Northrop Grumman Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor was fitted on the future Royal Air Force (RAF) surveillance asset at STS Aviation Services’ modification facility in Birmingham, the UK, the prime contractor Boeing announced on November 4th.

Prior to fitting the MESA arry—which had earlier this year completed testing a Northrop’s Linthicum, Maryland facility—the narrow body’s mid-fuselage ‘Section 46’ was removed and strengthened, in order to bear the structure’s weight.

All three of the RAF’s on-order Wedgetails are currently in modification at the Birmingham site, with work involving more than 100 Boeing and STS personal.  Two of the airframes were previously operated as business jets, while the third is a new-build example, delivered in mid-July.

“The sensor itself is a critical enabler to surveillance and air dominance, and the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft will provide the RAF with a combat-proven advantage against even the most sophisticated adversaries,” says Ian Vett, Boeing’s director of the UK E-7 program.  The UK’s E-7 A fleet is scheduled to achieve operational capability during 2024.

Sources: STS Aviation Services, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Picture Boeing

Regional Jets

                        Malaysia Airlines Eyes 25 More Narrowbodies; Does Not Rule Out 737 Max

Malaysia Airlines is to kick off air framer discussions for a potential order for 25 more narrow body aircraft’s as the airline awaits delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max in about half a year.

Chief executive Izham Ismail says the airline will “evaluate all options”, and does not rule out ordering more 737 Max aircraft, or “even regional Aircraft”, as long as “the aircraft meets our business goals”.

“ We are agnostic to the aircraft types as long as it is commercially viable and meets our sustainability goals,” says Izham, who was speaking to FlightGlobal in Bangkok, on the sidelines of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ Assembly of Presidents.

The Kuala Lumpur-based carrier has 25 737 Max 8s on order, the first example is expected to be delivered by the second quarter of 2023, with deliveries running through 2025.

The new aircraft, which are expected to be fitted with new cabin products, replace the airline’s 737-800s on a one-for-one basis, says Izham.  Malaysia Airlines will take seven 737 Max aircraft next year, a move which will see five-800s moved to low-cost unit Firefly.

Source: Malaysia Airlines, Picture Malaysia Airlines

LATEST NEWS

• Air Astana the national carrier of Kazakhstan has signed a deal to take three Boeing 787-9 through lessor Air Lease as it continues with its fleet upgrade.  The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in early 2025 through spring 2026 from ALC’s order book with Boeing.

• Japan’s Skymark Airlines  announced on November 10th the airline’s plan to add up to 12 737 Max airplanes.

• Mongolian Airlines (MIAT) operated a Boeing 737 Max-8 from Ulaanbaatar to Guangzhou.  The Mongolian airline will operate the flight on a weekly basis with the previously banned type.

• Italy will increase its planned purchase of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers to six aircraft, up from two previously.

• Royal Jordanian and Pratt & Whitney signed propulsion contracts to equip the carrier’s future Airbus A320neo-family and Emrbraer E-Jet aircraft with geared turbofan (GTF) engines.

• Aeroitalia is to take three Boeing 737 Max 8 jets on long-term placement from Air Lease, as the Italian Start-up carrier seeks to expand its operations in the coming years.

• BOC Aviation has announced that it has completed the delivery of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic Airways.

• Antonov Airlines has announced it will spend about half a billion dollars to rebuild the damaged (by the Russians) AN-225 Mriya, the world’s largest cargo plane.

• Brazilian Carrier Azul has ordered a further three Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered Airbus A330neos taking its fleet of widebody twin to eight.

• The Egyptian Government spotted at Hamburg Airport this Boeing 747-8i sporting the special livery of the Egyptian government.  The aircraft bearing the registration SU-EGY(c/n37826) was originally destined to Lufthansa as D-ABYE, but the example was not taken up by the European Carrier.  It is understood that the 2011-vintage has been in storage in the U.S for more than a decade pending new ownership.

Sources: Air Lease, BOC Aviation, Boeing, Royal Jordanian, Antonov Airlines Mongolian Airlines, Skymark Airlines, Italian Government.

AIR CARGO

                      Silk Way West Airline Announces an Order for two 777-8 Freighters

Azerbaijani cargo carrier Silk Way West Airlines has placed an order for two Boeing 777-8 Freighters and taken an option on two more of the type.

The deal, which was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website, marks a further commitment to the freighter Boeing launched in January this year and for which it has booked more than 50 orders.

Boeing launched the new freighter with a 34-strong commitment from Qatar Airways.  All Nippon Airways, Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines have all made commitments to the freighter, while Cargolux last month firmed an order for 10 of the type.

Silk Way Group president Zaur Akhundov says: “This year Silk Way Airlines celebrates its 10th anniversary, and over the past decade the carrier has been operating an all-Boeing fleet.  Today’s agreement reflects our ongoing investment in Boeing’s market -leading freighters”.  Silk way also placed a commitment for up to four of Airbus’ Freighter in June.

Sources: Boeing, Silk Way West Airlines, Picture Boeing

                                 Emirates Places a Firm Order for Five New 777LRFs

Emirates has placed a firm order for five Boeing 777Fs in a deal worth over $1.7 billion at list prices.  Two aircraft will be delivered in 2024 and three in 2025, says Emirates.  The deal pushes the carrier’s total orders to 200 widebody jets.

“Emirates is investing in new freighters so that we can continue to serve customer demand with the latest fuel-efficient aircraft,” says Emirates chairman and chief executive Ahmed bin Said Al Maktoum.

“This order reflects Emirates’ confidence in airfreight demand and overall aviation sector growth.  It lays the ground for our continued growth, which is driven by the reach of our diverse global network, the advanced handling infrastructure at our Dubai hub, and the tailor transport solutions that Emirates has developed to serve our varied customers’ needs.”

The jets will add to the carrier’s freighter fleet, which now stands at 11 777Fs.  Emirates, the launch customer for the 777F, says the type is effective at transporting items that are sensitive to time and temperature, such as fresh products, medicines, pets, cars, and horses.

“We value the trust that Emirates has repeatedly placed in its all-Boeing freighter fleet,” says Stan Deal, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Sources: Emirates, Boeing, Picture Emirates

                           MSC-Mediterranean Shipping Company SA to Develop MSC Air Cargo

MSC Mediterranean shipping Company SA, a global leader in transportation and logistics, has started developing a new MSC Air Cargo solution in response to customer demand and as a complimentary service to its container shipping solutions.

MSC Air Cargo has been under development for several months and the new solution will be available from early 2023, following the delivery of the first of four MSC- branded Boeing 777F aircraft.  They will be operated by Atlas Air, a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

MSC has appointed Jannie Davel, formerly of Delta Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo and DHL, to develop its air cargo business and build the team that will implement it.  MSC Air Cargo’s First Boeing 777F has been already painted by Boeing pending delivery.

Source: MSC Air Cargo, Picture MSC Cargo

                 

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

ON THE BOEING FRONT

                 All Nippon Airways Launches Boeing’s New Insight Accelerator

Boeing announced All Nippon Airways(ANA) will be the launch customer for Insight Accelerator(IA), a new cloud-based digital solution employing artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency and avoid high impact service disruptions.

While the latest generation of commercial airplanes like the 787 generate a large amount of flight data, many operators lack the infrastructure to manage and leverage the information.  By using augmented analytics to discover and deploy predictive algorithms for anomaly detection, our Insight Accelerator solution enables airlines to take proactive maintenance and repair action and prevent unscheduled delays.

“There are many products on the market for flight data analytics but Insight Accelerator is the most effective tool for our aircraft operation,” commented Manubu Tono, All Nippon Airways manager of planning& Administration, Engineering.  “ It’s very innovative and meets our primary goal of leveraging features in flight data that indicate a system failure before it happens.”

Boeing developed the IA platform based on decades of experience supporting the global fleet and developing rigorous methods while assisting Airplane-on-ground situations.

“IA’s built-in artificial intelligence, guided exploration and powerful visualizations allow airlines to investigate flight and maintenance data, identify trends and discover insights-all without specialized coding or programming skills,” said Duane Wehking, vice president of digital Aviation Solutions at Boeing Global Services.  ”This is an easy-to-use solution that will provide value to airlines from day one”.

Source: Boeing, Picture Boeing

                              Boeing Orders & Deliveries for September

Boeing, in September, ramped up its aircraft deliveries and logged a solid month of orders, handing over 51 jets, including seven 787s, to customers during the month.

The 787 deliveries are the most in one month that Boeing has moved in two years coming after the company started re-delivering the type in August following a pause due to manufacturing quality issues.

The company in September landed orders for 96 jets, including 51 737 Max and 45 widebody aircraft, Boeing says on October 11.

Source: Boeing                    

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

               Airbus Invites Public to Submit Artistic Ideas for A350F Promotional Livery

Airbus is opening a public competition to design a livery for its new A350 freighter, which is expected to conduct its first flight in 2024.

The competition was formally launched on October 5th and will run for around eight weeks with submissions due by November 28th.  Airbus says the successful entry will be unveiled on March 15 of next year.  “We are inviting professional designers, amateur artists or students, creative talents from around the world to design the livery of our new A350F,” it adds.

It has various criteria with which the design must comply.  The Airbus and A350F logos must be ”clearly visible” and remain unmodified.  Certain areas of the aircraft cannot be used for artwork , while others such as the cockpit, area, tail cone, nacelles and wing fairings, can only support specific limited designs.

Entries should consider how the new aircraft “can benefit air freight operators and airlines from around the globe”.  Airbus design specialists will work with the artist behind the successful entry, and the airframer says the livery will “showcase” the A350F to operators.

Source : Airbus, rendering Airbus

Airbus Orders & Deliveries for September

Two Airbus A330neo twinsets have been ordered by an unidentified customer, both the -900 variant, and logged another 13 jets to Airbus’s gross order during September.

Another undisclosed operator ordered four A321neos, while China’s Sichuan airlines is taking three A321neos and three A320neos.

For the month of September Airbus delivered 55 aircraft.

Source: Airbus          

        

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                              Eviation Flew its Medium-Range Electric Airplane, Alice

St Eviation flew its medium-range electric airplane, Alice, for the first time the first time on Tuesday, September 27th, zipping over Grant County International Airport in rural eastern Washington.  The airport is a retired military facility with very long runway, making it uniquely suited for testing aircraft of all sizes.  That has special value in the Pacific Northwest, which is a major hub for aircraft design.

Alice is designed for flights of up to 250 miles.The electric plane has a “maximum useful load” of up to 2,600 pounds, which Eviation says is enough to carry up to nine passengers at a time over these shorter distances.  The zero-emission plane traveled at an altitude of 3,500 feet for its eight-minute inaugural flight.

Eviation was founded in 2015 by Aviv Tzidon in 2015 in Israel, and the company is now based in Washington State.

Source:  Eviation, picture Eviation

  Air Tahiti Firms ATR 42-600s Commitment &  Adds Further 72-600

Air Tahiti has signed for an additional ATR 72-600 and firmed its previous commitment to take two of the manufacturers new short take-off and landing version of the ATR 42-600 turboprop.

The Polynesian carrier emerged as a prospective launch customer for the ATR 42-600S when the program was unveiled at the Paris air show in 2019.  The program was formally launched later that year.

ATR revised initial entry into service date for the type from 2022 due to the pandemic.  Test flights of the STOL versions began earlier this year and ATR says first deliveries are expected for the end of 2024.

No delivery date was disclosed for the additional ATR 72-600 Air Tahiti has signed for.  The airline already operates seven ATR 72-600s and a pair of ATR 42-600s.

Source: ATR, Picture ATR                                                           

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

           Beyond C919 Certification Euphoria Comac Must Confront Realities

The certification of Comac’s C919 jet announced in time for China’s National Day Celebrations has been hailed by commentators in the country as a major milestone and a national pride for the domestic aerospace industry.

Yet, it is only the start of the long journey for the Shanghai-based airframer, one that is overshadowed by a slowing economy and more crucially, rising geopolitical tensions

While the actual certification ceremony took place on September 29, it was only a day later the Chinese officials publicly disclosed the news.

Between when images of the ceremony first showed up on Chinese social media, to when the official statement of President Xi congratulating Comac was released, there was a period of unusual silence from stat media and the airframer.

For now, as Comac and to an extent, China revels in hitting a milestone for a program hopes will rival Boeing’s 737 Max and Airbus’s A320neo family, it must confront a number of realities.

For one the airframer has to look towards building its C919 order book or risk the program. So far, China Eastern remains the Launch and only customer, though Comac is always quick to point out it holds hundreds of commitments.  The first C919 is expected to be delivered by this year’s statement from the airframer and with China Eastern only holding five firm orders, deliveries could end by next year.

As AeroDynamic Advisory managing director Richard Aboulafia puts it: “Comac needs to learn how to build it in a consistent way.”

“They need to establish a product support network, with 24-hour AOG support and it needs to be everywhere the C919 flies.  That’s a massive investment,” Aboulafia said.  In addition, the program is all but entirely reliant on Western technology, from engines to avionics and cockpit systems.

Sources: AeroDynamic Advisory,FlightGlobal,Ed’s research

                    Rolls-Royce Delivers 1,000th BR725 Engine to Gulfstream

Rolls-Royce has delivered the 1,00th BR725 engine to its customer Gulfstream Aerospace.  The engine was developed and assembled at the company’s business aviation headquarters in Dahlewitz, Germany, and shipped to Gulfstream in Savannah, Georgia.

The BR725 engine exclusively powers Gulfstream’s highly successful ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650 and Gulfstream G650ER business aircraft.  Since its entry into service in 2012, the G650 aircraft family has established a reputation for excellent reliability, efficiency and speed, all combined with outstanding environmental performance.

The BR725-powered G650 aircraft family holds 120-plus world speed records, including the one for the farthest, fastest flight in business aviation history.  With more than 500 aircraft in service, the G650ER and its sister aircraft, the G650, prove they are among the most trusted business jets in the world.

Dr. Dirk Geisinger, director Business Aviation, Rolls-Royce, said “Having delivered 1,000 BR725 engines to gulf stream is another testament of our leading position in the business aviation market.  Our partnership with Gulfstream, that started some 60 years ago, is a real success story and it will continue into the future with the  Pearl 700, which powers the Gulfstream G800.”

Source: Rolls-Royce,Image Rolls-Royce

                 LOT Set to Double 737 Max 8 Fleet as it weighs Renewal Options

Polish flag-carrier LOT is to introduce another six Boeing 737 Max 8s, more than doubling its fleet of the re-engined type.  All six aircraft are being sourced on long-term lease from US company Air Lease.

The carrier is undertaking a fleet modernization program but, while it evaluates options for regional and single-aisle replacement, it is sourcing aircraft as a “bridging solution”, says LOT chief operating officer Maciej Wilk.

LOT will bring in the first of additional from Air Lease- as well as a Boeing 787 and expansion will take Lot’s Max fleet to 11.

Source: LOT,Picture LOT 

                      Icelandair Seeks Proposals for Fleet Replacement Beyond 2024

Icelandair Group is fleet-planning for modernization beyond 2024, with requests for proposals to Boeing and Airbus, as well as engine manufacturers.

The Company says it is aiming to secure ”efficiently” a delivery stream of aircraft throughout the current decade, and support replacement of Boeing 757 fleet along with expansion.

Icelandair Group is undergoing modernization with Boeing 737 Max jets, one of which was delivered in the third quarter.

It is also scheduled to introduce another three over the period to the first quarter of next year-end lease two more in the fourth quarter of 2023 by which point it will have 20 Max jets.

Icelandair is expanding is cargo network with delivery of a 767-300Er freighter during the third quarter.  Icelandair will broaden the cargo network from January next year, a result of the increased capacity, with flights to Liege, New York JFK, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Source: Source Icelandair     

LATEST NEWS

• Aerolineas Argentinas hopes to add 10 more Boeing 737 Max jets over the next three years under a fleet growth plan.

• Omani Carrier SalamAir has placed a firm order for six Embraer E195-E2s with six options, as it plans to expand its currently all-Airbus fleet.

• Ethiopian & Boeing celebrated the 10th anniversary of the first 787 Dreamliner delivery to the African carrier.

•   Finnair on October 18th Finnair resumed flights to Eilat in Israel, after an absence of over two years.  The Finnish flag carrier is one of the first European airlines to fly to Eilat this year, relaunching weekly flights from its hub in Helsinki.

• Jet2 UK leisure carrier has firmed orders for another 35 Airbus A320neo-family jets with the potential to take up to 71.

• Titan Aircraft investments, have announced the placement of a Boeing 737-800SF converted freighter on long-term lease with ASL Aviation Holdings.

• Boeing celebrated the opening of new 3D printing facility in South King County and employs nearly 100 people running 3D printers making parts and components for aircraft.  The center has printers of all sizes, including one of the largest in the world.

• Royal Jordanian Airlines and Embraer have signed a memorandum of understanding for the carrier to introduce 10 E2 family jets to its fleet .

• Evia Aero has committed to ordering 25 all-electric Alice commuter airplanes from electric aircraft developer Eviation, the companies announced at NBAA-BACE 2022.

Sources : FlightGlobal, Boeing, Royal Jordanian, Finnair, Titan Aircraft, Jet2, SalamAir.

AIR CARGO

                                   Cargolux Firms Order for 10 777-8 Freighters

Luxembourg freighter specialist Cargolux Airlines has ordered 10 Boeing 777-8 freighters, finalizing an agreement disclosed by the companies at July’s Farnborough air show.

As part of the deal, the cargo carrier also secured options for a further six of the type, which it intends to use to replace its aging 747-400Fs.

“The agreement signed on October 12, will consolidate Cargolux’s position as a global leader of air freight services,” says Cargolux chief executive Richard Forson.

Boeing says the jets will help Cargolux improve operational efficiency, noting the type will be 30% more fuel efficient and cost 25% less to operate per ton of cargo, than the 747-400F.  Cargolux’s current fleet includes a mix of 27 747-400Fs, and newer 787-8F.

Powered by GE Aviation GEX power plants, the 777-8F will have range of 4,410nm (8,167km), carry a 112,300kg (247,580 lb) and boast a 365,160kg maximum take-off weight, according to Boeing’s preliminary specification.

The aircraft will have composite wings spanning 71.8 m (235.6ft) and capacity to carry 31 cargo pallets on its main deck and 13 inits lower hold.

Sources: Boeing, Cargolux, Picture Boeing

                              Lufthansa Cargo Celebrates its 150th SAF Flight

On October 14 Lufthansa Cargo celebrated its 150th SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) with its partner DB Schenker.  Since the start of the partnership, LH Cargo has been able to mitigate 39,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

Source: Lufthansa Cargo,Picture Lufthansa Cargo

                         

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

ON THE BOEING FRONT

                    Boeing to Open New Sustainability Research Center in Nagoya

Boeing has announced that it will open a new research center in the Japanese industrial city of Nagoya. The new Boeing Research & Technology(BR&T) center will focus on researching aviation technologies that will have no impact on the environment, says Boeing.  The announcement follows a cooperation agreement between Boeing and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI).

Originally signed in 2019 with the focus on sustainability, the cooperation agreement has been recently expanded to cover hybrid-electric propulsion, batteries, and the manufacturing of composites for the future of urban mobility.

“We are excited to open our latest global research and technology center here in Japan,” says Greg Hyslop, Boeing Chief engineer and executive vice president of Engineering,Test & Technology.

“Working with terrific partners like METI, the new center will expand upon Boeing-wide initiatives in sustainable fuels and electrification, and explore the intersection of digitalization, automation and high-performance aerospace composites for greater sustainability in our future products and production systems.”

Nagoya is heavily involved in the aerospace sector, and many Boeing suppliers are based there.  The BR&T-Japan Research Center adds to the company’s other regional R&D centers that are in Australia, China And South Korea.

Source: Boeing, Picture FlightGlobal

Boeing Orders & Deliveries for August

The orders booked in August include deals for 13 737 Max aircraft – two for American Airlines and 11 for unidentified customers, Boeing said on September 13.  Additionally Boeing logged orders for five 787-9 from Irish lessor AerCap, eight 767 Freighters from UPS and four 767-based KC-46 aerial refueling tankers for Israel.

Boeing delivered 35 aircraft in August, up from 26 in July, including two 787s: a-9 to Lufthansa and a-10 to KLM, it says.

Boeing’s other August  deliveries include two 767Freighters and one 777Freighter to FedEx, one to China’s Leasing and one 777 Freighter to DHL .

Source: Boeing                    

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                       Airbus Reshapes A350’s Cabin to Squeeze up to 30 More Seats

Airbus is nearing introduction of new interior configuration standard for the A350; it will permit 10-abreast economy seating and potentially add 30 seats to the aircraft’s accommodation.

The densification change will allow the A350-1000 to carry “well over” 400 passengers in certain configurations says chief commercial officer Christian Scherer.

He says the new standard provides “increased volume” in the cabin that allows the airframer to “very comfortably” put a ten-abreast layout in economy, and provide 20-30 more seats depending on the pitch.

Scherer stresses that this is achieved “without compromising seat width”, and involves fitting such features as a slights-reshaped cabin wall linings the walls are ”pushed out a little bit”, providing additional interior width.

“That’s something that is beginning to get good resonance in the market, because the comfort  standards of the A350 have proven to be unparalleled.” he says.  “The cabin altitude on the airplane, the air quality, the sound levels of the A350 provide passengers with a very unique comfort environment.”  Initial aircraft featuring the new standard will enter service shortly.

Source: Airbus

                                           Airbus Orders & Deliveries For August

August orders for Airbus in August were 0.

Airbus deliveries for Airbus in were 39 aircraft from 22 customers.

Airbus activity for August shows the 19 aircraft cut in August in a single sweep were for Qatar Airways.

Source: Airbus            

        

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                                         Daher Delivers 20th TBM960 Turboprop Single

After receiving FAA type certification in late June, Daher said on August 30th, it has delivered its 20th TBM 960 turboprop single.  Florida businessman Johnie Weems took delivery of the milestone airplane at Daher’s aircraft division in Tarbes, France, and along with ferry pilot Margit Waltz made the transatlantic flight to Florida.

In all, 17 of the 20 TBM 960s delivered thus far have gone to U.S. customers, with the remaining three going to European customers.  Daher aircraft division senior v-p Nicolas Chabbert said demand is strong for the $4.7 million airplane.  ”We are nearly fully booked for 2023, with a significant percentage of these orders coming from customers in North America and Europe,” he noted.

Key features of the TBM 960 include the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT engine and Hartzell’s five-blade Raptor propeller, which are linked to the type’s dual -channel digital engine and propeller electronic control system.  Other improvements include LED ambiance strip lighting on both sides of the overhead cabin ceiling panel and electronically dimmable windows.

Source: Daher, photo Daher

                       PW127XT-M Powerplant Wins Transport Canada Approval

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced on August 26th that Transport Canada Civil Aviation has type certified PW127Xt-M regional turboprop engine that will power new builds of ATR aircraft.

“The PW127XT-M is the new standard for operating economics, maintenance and sustainability for regional aircraft,” said Timothy Swail, vice president, Regional Aviation and APU Product Marketing & sales for Pratt & Whitney Canada.  This certification is an important step toward the entry into service of new ATR aircraft and we continue to support ATR as it builds a strong order Book.”

Revealed at the Dubai AirShow in November 2021, the PW127XT-M engine offers 40% extended time on the wing, 20% lower maintenance costs and 3% improvement infield efficiency, due to engine improvements making the regional turboprop even more sustainable.  Regional turboprops currently boast up to 40% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with similar missions for the 30-70 passenger regional jet aircraft market.

“We worked closely with ATR earlier this year on flight testing of our new PW127-M and previous generation engines using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF),” said Swail.

“Most notably, Braathens Regional Airlines flew on of its ATR 72-600 aircraft using 100% SAF in both its PW127M engines with excellent results.”

Source: Pratt & Whitney Canada,Picture P&W Canada                                                                  

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

              Qatar Airways Selects Inmarsat as (IFC) Provider on 787 & 737-10 Fleet

Qatar Airways provides one hour of free access to its ‘Super Wi-Fi’, powered by GX Aviation, with the option to purchase full access for the remainder of each flight.

The seamless and reliable broadband will be available across the airline’s aircraft and flight routes, allowing passengers to stay connected to family and friends, browse the internet, stream video and audio, enjoy social media, shop online and more.

The announcement comes as Qatar prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November, with huge influx of tourists set to travel by air into Doha’s Hamad International Airport.  With a fully connected fleet, Qatar Airways passengers will be able to stay up-to-date with match scores, watch video replays and even livestream games from 30,000 fleet, enhancing their onboard experience.  Inmarsat is committed to meeting the bandwidth requirements generated by this forthcoming event and, alongside its partner Safran Passenger Innovations, installed and activated GX Aviation on the first Qatar Airways 787-9 aircraft in less than five months from contract award.

Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group chief executive, said, “Over the years,Qatar Airways has pioneered a range of game-changing innovations as part of our exceptional five-star passenger experience.  This in turn, has resulted in the international air transport rating organic Skytrax naming us ‘Airline of the Year’ an unprecedented six times.The laugh of our Super Wi-Fi powered by Inmarsat’s GX Aviation, is a prime example.  We were amongst the first airlines in the world to adopt this technology and remain the largest operator of GX-equipped aircraft in the Middle East and North Africa.”

Source: Qatar Airways,Image Qatar Airways

   Israel to Ban Boeing 747s, Other 4-Engine Planes Amid Environmental Concerns

Israel will ban Boeing 747 and similar aircraft with four engines as of March 31, 2023, to reduce noise and air pollution, its airport authority announced on September 4, 2022.

As part of a broader plan under development to improve the surrounding environment, the authority said that it had already told airlines they would not be able to land large aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv as of the 2023 summer season.

The directive is mainly for cargo aircraft since most, if not all, carriers have stopped using 747 and other four engine planes on routes to Israel.  Operation of aircraft with four engines will be allowed in exceptional cases and only with a special permit.

Source: Reuters

                                      Vietjet 737 Max Deliveries Set for 2024-2028

Vietnam low-cost carrier Vietjet Air has signaled that it will receive Boeing Max aircraft from 2024 to 2028, having recently reaffirmed orders for 200 examples.

“Vietjet and Boeing have agreed to revise the delivery schedule of 200 aircraft from 2024 to 2028 to fit the company’s growth and recovery after Covid-19,” says Vietjet.  “The new agreement provides more flexibility for aircraft deliveries and incentives for parties in taking new Boeing Max aircraft.”

Vietjet’s disclosure follows its announcement at July’s Farnborough Airshow that it reaffirmed the Boeing orders, with the first 50 aircraft earmarked for its Thailand affiliate, Thai Vietjet Air.

According to Boeing’s orders and deliveries data, Vietjet has 200 737 Max aircraft on order.  Though Boeing’s web site does not specify the variant, previously have indicated Vietjet is obtaining the 737 Max 200 variant.  The Carrier made the revelation in an investor presentation for the first half of its 2022 financial year to June 30.

Source: FlightGlobal

                   United & Emirates Expand Market Presence Through New Agreement

On September 15 United Airlines made this announcement:  United and Emirates announced a historic commercial agreement that will enhance each airline’s network and give their customers easier access to hundreds of destinations within the United States and around the World.

United will launch a new direct flight between Newark, New York and Dubai starting in March 2023 from there, customers can travel on Emirates or its sister airline fflydubi to more than 100 different cities. Tickets for United’s new Dubai flight are now on starting in November, Emirates customers flying into three of the nation’s biggest business hubs—Chicago, San Francisco and Houston—will have access to nearly 200 U.S. cities in the United network, most of which only require a one-stop connection.

At eight other U.S. airports served by Emirates—Boston, Dallas, LA, Miami, JFK, Orlando, Seattle and Washington DC—both airlines will have an interline arrangement in place.

United and Emirates announced their agreement at a ceremonial event at Dulles International Airport, hosted by United CEO Scott Kirby and Emirates President Sir Tim Clark, featuring United and Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and flight crews from each carrier.

Source: United, Picture United     

      

LATEST NEWS

• AirCap Holdings N.V. announced on August 29, it has signed lease agreements with Air Europa for the long-term lease of five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and ten Boeing  737 Max 8 aircraft.

• Ethiopian Airlines continues to pursue aggressive growth of its freighter fleet with a long-term leases of three converted Boeing 767-300ERs from lessor Titan Aircraft Investments.

• Virgin Australia will add another four Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft to its fleet, amid sustained strong demand for travel, and in line with fleet growth plans.

• Lufthansa has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, as the airframer resumes deliveries of the type to European customers.

• Saudi Arabia has announced it is to launch a new airline tipped to be called “RIA’. The new airline will become Saudi’s second national carrier, based out of Riyadh.

• Air India will lease five 777-200LRs, and twenty-five Airbus A320neo-family jets in its first major fleet expansion since being fully acquired by the Tata Group.

• Aeroflot is expected to order over 300 Russian-made aircraft’s part of a shift in fleet strategy from Western-built jets to indigenous aircraft.

• Air Transat has placed a long-term lease for four A31XLRs that will be delivered within several years, US lessor Corporation(ALC) said on September 8th.

Source: ALC, Air India, Lufthansa, AirCap, Ethiopian, FlightGlobal

                                                                              

                                                  AIR CARGO

              Boeing CEO Reveals 787 Freighter as Front-Runner to Succeed 767F

On September 15, 2022, Boeing CEO David Calhoun said Boeing is leaning toward developing a freighter version of its 787 Dreamliner as a replacement for the 767 freighter.  He said the cargo market is on a strong upward trajectory that will boost sales of all-cargo aircraft well into the future.

Boeing must terminate production of the popular 767 and 777 freighters at the end of 2027 to comply with global emissions rules.  The company recently launched the 777-X program as the next generation successor to the large 777, but has nothing in place for the medium widebody category.  Boeing has 43 firm commitments for the 777-8 freighter since it went on sale nine months ago, plus options for 18 more.

In the most definitive statement so far by any official about Boeing’s future freighter strategy, Calhoun told FreightWaves the 787 is the most likely candidate for the next cargo jet.

“We know there’s value in it a 787 freighter.  But we are going to pace all of our freighter developments,” he said on the sidelines of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s aerospace summit in Washington.  “We have a 777 coming down the pike.  The legacy is still in demand.  Someday.  Probably likely.  But we have not pulled any triggers.”

Source: Boeing

   National Airlines Introduces Ex-AirBridge Cargo 747-400 ERF to Freighter Fleet

US Operator National Airlines has introduced a Boeing 747-400ERF to its fleet, an extended-range version of the high-capacity freighter.  The carrier which is based in Orlando but operates hubs in several locations, already has six 747-400Fs, as well as Boeing 757 and Airbus A330 passenger transports.

It identifies the latest addition as MSN53237, a General Electric CF6-powered airframe originally delivered to Russian freight carrier AirBridgeCargo in 2008.  National Airlines says the 747-400ERF, with a payload capability of 128t, is a “logical choice” for long distance cargo services.

Chairman Christopher Alf says the carrier is aiming to meet “growing specialized cargo demands” by offering “newer and innovative” options.  “Introduction of the 747-400ERF aircraft is part of our greater vision to modernize our fleet and enhance our service offerings to our customers,” he says.

National Airlines underlines the flexibility presented by the 747’s nose-loading door, and says the aircraft is “particularly suitable” for cold-chain shipment.

Source: National Airlines, Picture National Airlines

                         

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

ON THE BOEING FRONT

                    Boeing Takes New Role to Help Cut Aviation Emissions Faster

Boeing will represent the aviation sector in a global alliance, jointly established by the US Government and World Economic Forum to accelerate clean technologies and reduce carbon emissions.

The First Movers Coalition(FMC) was created in late 2021 to leverage the purchasing power of major companies to speed up the pace of decarbonizing industrial sectors such as shipping, chemicals and trucking.   Boeing, a founding member of the coalition, will serve as the ‘champion’ for the aviation sector.

As part of its new role, Boeing commits to supporting greater commercialization of sustainable aviation fuels and advancing other low-carbon technologies.  Scaling up sustainable solutions is critical to the aviation sector’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050 and the broader goal of holding global temperatures to 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels, the so-called ‘1.5 °C pathway’.

Boeing said it will leverage current technologies and increase industry partnerships in expanding sustainable aviation fuel supplies, while shaping strategies for developing new solutions.

Boeing has recruited one of the leading experts in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to work with more than 50 companies in the First Movers Coalition and industry partners.   Robert Boyd will join Boeing from the International Air Transport Association(IATA) where he led decarbonization efforts, including advancing the commercial deployment of SAF and addressing policy, economic, sustainability and logistic challenges.

“We are honored to service as ‘champion’ for our sector and committed to partnering with FMC members and others on scaling SAF and accelerating low-carbon technologies to decarbonise aviation,” said Brian Moran, Boeing Vice President of Global Sustainability Policy & Partnerships.

“ Boeing has been a pioneer in making SAF a reality and having Robert join our team is further proof that we are 100% committed to working together to meet the industry’s net-zero emissions commitment by 2050,” said Moran.

Source: Boeing, Picture Boeing

Boeing Orders & Deliveries for July

Boeing landed new orders for 130 aircraft in July, most of which were 737 airframes.  The 130 new orders included 127 737 Max aircraft — 100 of which will go to Delta Air Lines, 25 to Qatar Airways and 2 to American Airlines.

In addition, the company landed orders for three 777F freighter aircraft: one for Fedex and 2 for Air Canada.

Deliveries in July included 23 737 Max and three widebody jets which included one 767-300 F for FedEx, one 767-300F for Maersk and one 777F went to CES leasing Corporation.

Source: Boeing 

                                    ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Invests in World’s Largest Clean Hydrogen Infrastructure Managed by Hy24

Airbus has joined the world’s largest clean hydrogen infrastructure investment fund, managed by Hy24-a joint venture between Ardian, a world-leading private investment house and FiveTHydrogen, an investment manager specializing in clean hydrogen investments.

Hy24’s investment fund will provide capital to back credible, large-scale green hydrogen infrastructure projects world-wide.  Airbus’ involvement assures its commitment to the scaling up of a global hydrogen economy, prerequisite for the successful entry-into-service of its zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035.

“We are delighted that Airbus has joined the fund along with other key industrial and financial investors,” said Pierre-Etienne Franc, the CEO of Hy24.

“Since 2020, Airbus has partnered with numerous airlines, airports, energy providers and industry partners to develop a stepped approach to global hydrogen availability,” said Karine Guenan,  VP ZEROe Ecosystem, Airbus.

Source: Airbus

                                              Airbus Orders & Deliveries in July

Airbus has added nearly 400 net orders to its total for the year, following a strong July, and includes the large agreement from four Chinese carriers.

The Chinese operators are collectively taking 196 A321neos, plus 82 A320neos and 14 A319neos.

Airbus also recorded 39 A321neo orders from LATAM, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Jet2 and an undisclosed customer.

Cancellation of 4 A350-900s from Aeroflot’s total of 20 meant net twin-aisle orders declined.

Source: Airbus           

                                 REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                                Thrive Aviation Earns Argus’ Top Safety Rating

Argus has awarded Thrive Aviation its Platinum safety rating, following an on-site audit of the Las Vegas-based charter operator and jet card provider. The audit was an in-depth historical safety analysis of Thrive’s aircraft, pilots, and procedures, as well as a validation of its safety management system and emergency response plans.

“This is not just a stamp of approval in process, but a reflection of our team’s hard work and commitment to superior culture of safety before anything else,” said Thrive director of safety Brian Harlan.

The awarding of safety rating comes as Thrive prepares to put its first ultra-long- range jet into services Gulfstream G600, as well as earning IS_BAO stage I certification.  Over the past two years, Thrive has also taken delivery of several CitationLongitude and Sovereign+ twinsets, adding to its fleet of XLS+, CJ3 and M2 aircraft.

“We have always been a safety-first organization, but with our rapid growth over the past few years, we know that we needed to invest heavily in scaling that culture,” said Thrive co-founder Stuart Edenfield.

Source: ainonline.com, Picture Thrive Aviation                                                                    

                                  OTHER AVIATION NEWS

              ST Engineering Expands Leap-1B MRO Capabilities with New Test Cell

ST Engineering will expand its MRO support for CFM International’s Leap-1B turbofan with new test cell capabilities in its Singapore facility.  The facility is expected to be ready by the end of 2023, the company states.

ST Engineering’s commercial aerospace division will work with testing and technology development provider Calspan Aero System Engineering in setting up the test cell facility.

“Calspan Aero System Engineering is very proud to continue our long relationship with ST Engineering by adding test-enabling hardware and updating control systems to allow testing of the LEAP-1B engine in Singapore”, said David Meier, President of Catspan ASE.

The move follows the setting up of Leap-1B engine quick-turn services in February, as well as regulatory approvals from the EU,USA and China.  The Leap-1B is the exclusive power plant for the Boeing Max family aircraft.

Source : ST Engineering

Delta to Add Split Scimitar Winglets for its 737-800, 737-900ERS & up to 70 757-200s

Aviation Partners Boeing and Delta Air lines announced on August 16th an agreement to purchase Split Scimitar Winglets for its 737-800 fleet and a number of recently acquired 737-900 ER aircraft and up to 70 of Delta’s 757-200 aircraft.

Delta has, once again, turned to APB’s winglet products across its fleets to deliver savings in jet fuel consumption and gains in fuel efficiency.

“The recent challenges for the industry have forced many airlines to focus on efforts other than emissions reduction and operational efficiency” said Craig McCallum, Aviation Partners Boeing senior director of sales and marketing.

“We could not be more excited and honored to continue our partnership with Delta Air Lines to reduce aircraft fuel consumption and carbon emissions.  We are inspired by Delta’s ambitious sustainability goals and extremely grateful for their continued endorsement of APB products,” says Aviation Partners Boeing chief commercial officer, Patrick LaMoria.

APB estimates that its products have reduced aircraft fuel consumption worldwide by over 13.4 billion gallons to-date, thereby saving over 141 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Source: Aviation Partners Boeing

                           CAE, Qantas to Set Up New Pilot Training Center in Sydney

CAE and Qantas have signed an agreement for a new pilot training center in Sydney, Australia.  The new center will be located near Sydney airport and provide training for up to 4,500 new and current Qantas and Jetstar pilots from early 2024, says Qantas.

The center will be operated by CAE under a 15-year agreement.  The center will have up to eight full motion simulators for four Airbus and two Boeing types covering the A320, A330, A350, A380, 737-800, and 787.  In addition, it will have flight training devices for the A330, A380 and 787.

Qantas and Jetstar captains will provide training at the center, while CAE will maintain the simulators and manage day-to-day operations.

CAE will provide training for other carriers at the facility.  The training provider will deploy a new A320 simulator at the center, and purchase Qantas’s 737, 787, and A330 full motion simulators.

“Qantas has trained its pilots and crew in Sydney for more than half a century and we look forward to bringing this critical function back to New South Wales with this custom-built facility,” says Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.

Source: CAE, Artist impression of the new Sydney training center   

  

LATEST NEWS

• Copa Airlines on August 12th, the flag carrier of Panama, took delivery of one new Boeing 737 Max 9.  The aircraft is under a long-term lease from Aviation Capital Group LLC.

• IAG British Airways and Iberia owner IAG has converted a loan to parent company Air Europa into a 20% stake in the airline.

•   ALC announced a long-term lease placements for 19 new Airbus aircraft with Condor of Germany; including 17 Airbus A321neos and 2 A320neos.

•   Malaysia Airlines has selected the Airbus A330neo for the carrier’s widebody fleet Renewal Program.  The initial agreements cover the acquisition of 20 A330-900 aircraft, with 10 to be repurchased from Airbus and 10 to be leased from Dublin-based Avolon. 

• Russian Airlines, according to Reuters, including Aeroflot, are being forced to strip western leased Airbus and Boeing aircraft parts from grounded aircraft to keep others flying.
•  Qanot Sharq Uzbek carrier to introduce a pair of Airbus A321 jets through US lessor Air Lease. Qanot Sharq, whose name means ‘eastern wings’, is a privately-owned operator and has a small fleet of A320s.

•   Air Greenland new Airbus A330neo exits the paint shop.  Airbus has issued the first photos of the aircraft named “Tuukkaq”.

• Boeing is to open a second surge line for the 737-800 freighter conversions at its facility near London Gatwick airport.

Sources: Airbus, Boeing, Reuters, Air Lease, Copa Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, IAG.

                                                      Air Cargo

          Apolo-led Investor Group to Acquire Atlas Air Worldwide for $5.2 bn

US freight and passenger Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings has agreed to be acquired by an investor group led by Apollo Global Management in an all-cash deal worth $5.2 billion.  The investor consortium includes J.F.Lehman & Company and Hill City Capital, the logistics specialist said on August 4.

Under the terms of the agreement, Atlas’ shareholders will receive $102,50 per share in Cassia 57% premium on the company’s current 30-day average trading price.

Upon completion of the transaction, which is expected to close in the final quarter of 2022 or the first quarter of 2023, Atlas will become a privately-held company.

Chief executive Jon Dietrich and his management team will remain in place, the purchase, New-York headquartered company says.

Source: Atlas Air

                           SIA Inducts First 777 Freighter Under DHL Partnership

Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of its first DHL Express Boeing 777 Freighter, which it will operate on flights to the USA under a commercial partnership with the logistics giant.  The aircraft (9v-DHA) features a dual SIA-DHL livery and is the first of five 777Fs to be operated by the flag carrier.

In March, SIA and DHL entered into a four-year “crew and maintenance agreement”, which sees SIA operate and maintain the fleet of five 777Fs.

SIA says it expects to take delivery of its second 777F in November, with the remaining three examples delivered across 2023.

The Carrier expects to operate the type on flights between the USA and Singapore via North Asian and Australian points.  Its first pair of freighters will be deployed on Singapore- Incheon- Los Angeles-Honolulu- Singapore route six times weekly.

DHL Express executive vice-president for aviation Robert Hyslop says:  “The new Boeing 777 Freighter demonstrates our on going effort to strengthen our network and adjust flight routes, as well as lower our carbon emissions to achieve greener logistics.

Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Executive Vice President Commercial, SIA, said: ”SIA’s longstanding partnership with DHL reinforces Singapore’s position as key air cargo and -commerce logistics hub, and highlights our firm commitment to our cargo business”

Ms Christy Reese, Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing,Asia PacificBoeing said: “ We are thrilled that the partnership between DHL and Singapore Airlines will be predicated on the strength of Boeing 777 Freighters.

The versatile 777 Freighter is the world’s largest, most capable twin-engine freighter and can fly long-range trans-pacific missions in excess of 6,000 nautical miles with 20 percent more payload than other large freighters like the 747-400F”.

Source: Singapore Airlines,Picture Singapore Airlines

                         

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

ON THE BOEING FRONT

                       Boeing Plans P-8 Deliveries to New Zealand, Germany & South Korea

Boeing says it will complete deliveries of the company’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to New Zealand, Germany and South Korea over the next two years.  Boeing says on July 7, that the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) will receive its P-8s this year, while South Korea’s will arrive in 2023.  Aircraft destined for Germany will be ready in 2024.

New Zealand committed to purchasing four P-8s to replace the RNZF’s aging fleet of six Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion patrol aircraft.  Across the Tasman Sea, neighboring Australia already operates 12 Poseidons.

Germany plans to buy five P-8s, while south Korea will acquire six; both nations will use the Poseidon to phase out fleets of older P-3 Orions.

On July 7 the newest P-8 took to the skies over Puget Sound, bringing the total number of P-8s delivered to 150.  “There are now 150 P-8s around the world delivering an unmatched capability to our global Customers,” said Stu Voboril, vice president and program manager, P-8 Programs.

Amassing more than 450,000 mishap-free flight hours, the global P-8 fleet includes 112 aircraft delivered to the U.S. Navy, 12 to Australia, 12 to India, 9 to the United Kingdom and 5 to Norway.

Boeing P-8 Program senior manager Perry Yaw said the P-8 production line currently has a backlog stretching until 2025, with a program total of 183 aircraft ordered.

Yaw adds that Canada is Boeing’s next major focus for overseas sales.  In February, the company officially responded to a bid from the Canadian armed forces for a long-range maritime patrol aircraft.

Dubbed the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA), the program aims to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force(RCAF) fleet of Lockheed CP-140 Aurora turboprops.  The CP-140 is based on a P-3 Airframe.  The RCAF operates 15 Auroras, according to the FlightGlobal 2022 World Air Forces guide.

Source: Boeing, Picture Boeing.

Boeing Orders & Deliveries for June

Boeing won orders for 50 airplanes in June, including 49 MAX, of which 48 were sold to customers not immediately disclosed. The one public purchaser was American Airlines.

On the delivery side Boeing delivered 51 airplanes in June to bring its first-half tally to 216 jets, up 38% from the same period last year.  The deliveries included six wide-body commercial freighters; for the 12th consecutive month, there were no 787 deliveries.

Source: Boeing                  

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                             Airbus & CFM Collaborate on Open Fan Engine Architecture

The Flight Test Demonstrator aims to mature and accelerate the development of advanced propulsion technologies, as part of CFM’s Revolutionary innovation for Sustainable Engine (RISE) demonstration program, on board an Airbus A380.  The test campaign will be performed in the second half of this decade from the Airbus Flight Test facility in Toulouse, France.  Ahead of the A380 test flights, CFM will perform engine ground tests, along with flight test validation at GE Aviation’s Flight Test Operations center in Victorville, CA,USA.

The flight test program will achieve several objectives that could contribute to future engine and aircraft efficiency improvements, including: enhanced understanding of engine/wing integration and aerodynamic performance as well as propulsive system efficiency gains; validating performance benefits, including better fuel efficiency that would provide a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to today’s most efficient engines; evaluating acoustic models; and ensuring compatibility with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuels(SAF).

“ New propulsion technologies will play an important role in achieving aviation’s net aero objectives, along with new aircraft designs and sustainable energy sources,” said Sabine Klauke, Airbus chief technical officer.  ”By evaluating, maturing and validating open fan engine architecture using dedicated flight test demonstrator, we are collaboratively making yet another significant contribution to the advancement of technology bricks that enable us to reach our industry-wide decarbonization targets”.

“The CFM RISE Program is all about pushing the technology envelope, redefining the art of the possible, and helping to achieve more sustainable long-term growth for our industry,” said Gael Meheust, President and CEO of CFM International.

Source: Airbus, CFM International, Image Airbus

Airbus Orders& Deliveries For June

Qantas Airways has firmed its order for a dozen Airbus A350-1000s & secured an agreement for another seven A350 freighters, from an undisclosed customer.  In addition two A350 freighters were recently identified for Silk Way Airline, and a single A330-900 for Delta Air Lines.

As part of its fleet modernization, The Australian flag -carrier has also signed for 20 A321neos and 20 A220-300s.

Airbus recorded firm net orders for 259 aircraft over the first half of the year, with 314 single-aisle jets and 25 A350s.

It delivered a total of 297 aircraft in the six-month period to June 30, among them 29 A350s and 13 A330s plus 230 A320neo-family jets and 25 A220s.

Source: Airbus             

        

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Pratt & Whitney and Embraer have completed the first flight test on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with an E195-E2 regional jet.

The aircraft performed a 70 minute flight from Vero Beach airport, in Florida, with one  PW1900G engine running on 100% SAF.  It follows two days of ground testing at Fort Lauderdale airport, says P&W.

For the test flight, both companies made use of 100% vegetable ail-based HEFA-SPK (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids synthetic paraffin kerosene)fuel acquired from USA-based World Energy.

P&W engines and Embraer aircraft can operate with SAF blended up to 50%.  Work is ongoing to allow PW1100G-family engines to be able to operate at 100% SAF.  P&W, in March, announced it was teaming up with Air BP on the use of 100% SAF for engine testing and research.  Under the agreement, both parties intend to work together to explore a “viable supply” of full-SAF for engine and propulsion tests through 2024.

Sources: Embraer, P&W, Picture P&W

                        RoyalJet expands Its Five-Star Fleet with a Premium BBJ

RoyalJet Abu Dhabi has added yet another Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to its fleet taking total number of BBJs to 12.

This makes RoyalJet the largest BBJ Operator in the World. The aircraft was acquired by the group in early 2022 and is now ready for charter after undergoing upgrades and technology enhancements in Basel, Switzerland over the past few months.

This BBJ boasts 23 passengers VVIP interior with forward crew rest area, master bedroom with private lavatory and shoer, and a mid-cabin open-plan lounge.

Source:  RoyalJet                                           

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

  Air Arabia JVs Set for Take-Off

Sharjah-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Air Arabia aims to have its two joint venture (JV) airlines in Armenia and Pakistan flying by the middle of this year.

The company has now allocated two newly leased Airbus A320neos to Fly Arna, while three will go to Pakistan-based Fly Jinnah.

Air Arabia is setting up the new Armenian national carrier, Fly Arna in conjunction with the Armenian National Interests Fund.  While in Pakistan, it is creating Fly Jinnah, with Karachi-based conglomerate Lakson Group.

Air Arabia’s CEO, Adel Ali, said that he hopes Fly Arna will be in the air by May and Fly Jinnah in June of next year.

Armenia has not had a national airline for several years.  Fly Arna has not yet announced its initial destinations, but these are likely to concentrate initially on Central Asia.

Pakistan has shortage of airlines serving its 200 million-strong population; domestic routes will be Karachi-based Fly Jinnah’s first priority before the airline expands internationally.

Air Arabia is looking at acquiring more A321 in the next batch; the airline has a small number of A321LRs at present.

Source: Air Arabia, Picture Fly Arna

                                           Qatar Airways Wins ‘Airline of The Year’

Qatar Airways has won ‘Airline of the Year’ at the AirlineRatings Awards.  It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ and took home the “Best Business Class’ award.

This is the second year running that Qatar Airways has scooped the top prize and the fourth year in a row to take home the ‘Best Business Class’ award.

The AirlineRatings ‘Airline of the year” award acknowledges the best that aviation has to offer, with focus on product innovations strong route network and overall safety.  All AirlineRatings awards are given based on strict assessment criteria put together by industry professionals with extensive expertise and experience in the aviation field.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said:  “ Winning these awards are another ringing endorsement of everything that we stand for as an airline, Qatar Airways is fully committed to providing an unrivaled customer experience.  Our goal is to deliver excellence and once again securing the ‘Airline of the year’,’ ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ and ‘Best Business Class’ demonstrates that we continue to lead the industry as passengers return to the skies.  As we increase our global network to over 150 destinations, we also recently reported our most successful financial results ever with profit of $1.54 billion, confirming the airline as an all-round strong performer that is hugely popular with our passengers.”

Source: Qatar Airways, Picture Qatar Airways

                                  Greater Bay Airlines Gets Airborne in Low-Key Launch

Hong Kong start-up Greater Bay Airlines has officially taken to the skies, though its long-awaited launch was made with little fanfare.

On July 23rd, the carrier operated its inaugural flight to Bangkok, operated by a Boeing 737-800. Greater Bay, which did not issue a media statement to mark its launch, intends to operate twice-weekly flights to the Thai capital, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The launch comes as travel restrictions still persist in Hong Kong, though the city’s government is slowly easing curbs

It also comes nearly half a year after it clinched its operation license, which paved the way for it to start commercial flights.   In October 2021 the carrier clinched its AOC, and stated its intensions to operate to Bangkok, Phuket as well as Singapore.

It had applied and received regulatory approval to operate more than 100 routes across Asia-Pacific, with the majority of them to mainland China.  Other countries include Japan,Thailand and South Korea. Greater Bay currently has two 737s in its fleet and will take a third example this year.

Source:  ch-aviation, Picture Wikimedia Commons

                                Bonza Set For Launch As First MAX Takes Flight

Australia’s newest airline Bonza is step closer to launch, after its first Boeing 737 MAX jet was spotted sporting freshly-painted Bonza livery in Seattle.  Bonza is a new airline based by 777 Partners of Miami that is preparing to launch operations this month to underserved markets in Australia.

Bonza, Australia’s only independent low-cost airlines has thrown out the rule book as they reveal their first-ever uniform.  The ‘wear it your way’ range, featuring Australian aviation’s first-ever-on trend white custom sneakers and cotton t-shirts, allows Bonza legends to let their individual personalities shine with various “mix and match” options.

“ Our brief was clear.  Create a uniform that Bonza legends will wear with pride.  We know airline uniforms are the land that time forgot and we wanted to change that with our partners at total Image Group,” said Carly Povey, Chief Commercial Officer at Bonza.

The airline took delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max 8 in July registration number VH-UJT.  Bonza is gearing up to begin flying on 27 routes to 17 destinations as soon as September.

Sources: 777 Partners, Boeing, Australian Aviation, Picture Boeing      

LATEST NEWS

• Saltchuk Aviation Boeing and Saltchuk Aviation have announced the airline group placed an order for up to four more 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighters.

• BBAM Limited Partnership have announced the lessor is growing its 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) fleet with a firm order for nine more 737-800BCF.

• Armenian & Georgian Airlines Armenia airline and its partner Georgian Airlines from Georgia, have placed an order for three Boeing 737-800BSF as part of the group’s plan to add more dedicated cargo airplanes to its operations in the Caucasus region.

• Alaska Airlines has accelerated the retirement of its remaining A320s in the fourth quarter.  Chief Financial Officer Shane Tackett said it during the quarter earning call.

• ANA Holdings Japan’s largest airline finalized an order for 20 737Max 8 and took an option for ten more and selected the 777-8 Freighter.

• Boeing has opened its largest Asia-Pacific distribution center in Brisbane, Australia to support key business areas.  The center is located in Murarrie near Brisbane Airport.

• New Zealand’s first 737NG P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft has emerged from the paint shop at Boeing’s Renton facility in Washington.

• Icelandair has entered a pact with Singapore-based lessor BOC Aviation to lease two 737Max 8s.

• Ethiopian Airlines has switched four A350-900 orders to A50-1000; thus becoming the first African operator for the -1000 type.

• Jetstar Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo featuring the airline’s refreshed livery.

Sources: Boeing, Alaska Airlines, ANA, Icelandair,

                                              AIR CARGO

                      Cargolux Commits to Order 777-8 Freighters        

   

Boeing has secured a commitment from freight airline Cargolux to order 777-8 freighters, which the Luxembourg-based carrier intends to use as 747-400 replacements.

Boeing disclosed the deal, which falls short of a firm order, on July 21 during the Farnborough air show.

Boeing senior vice-President of commercial sales and marketing Ihssane Mounir says he hopes to convert the commitment into a firm order in the coming weeks.  “We will be working over the next several weeks to do the documentation for the commitment, and wrap it up,” Mounir says.

Boeing says Cargolux “selected the 777-8 Freighter as a preferred solution to replace its 747-400 fleet”. Neither company has disclosed how many of Boeing’s in-development 777-8F Cargolux might purchase.

“We will work with them to define how many, and when,” Mounir says.  ”I expect in the next several weeks we will firm that up.”

Boeing launched the freighter 777-8F development program in January, with first delivery scheduled for 2027.

Source: Boeing, Picture Boeing

OTHER NOTEWORTHY NEWS

                         Lion Air Group ‘still committed’ to 737 MAX: Chairman

Lion Air Group chairman Rusdi Kirana has reiterated the airline group’ commitment to the Boeing 737 Max, with is Batik Air Malaysia unit set to take its first 737Max9 aircraft in early 2023.

Kirana was speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on July 11, announcing the rebranding of the airline unit Milando Air to Batik Air Malaysia, as well as the official re-entry of Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft into its fleet.

Indonesia-based Lion Air Group, which also includes Lion Air, Super Air Jet and Batik Air of Indonesia, as well as Thai Lion Air, has more than 200 Max aircraft – a mix of Max 8s and Max 9s on order.  Kirana, who was responding to a question from FlightGlobal, says the airline group is looking to continue operations of the type, some of which have already returned to service in Indonesia.

“Boeing did a lot of work to make sure that the 737 Max is safe for travel…we have more than 200 aircraft on order with Boeing, and we will still take delivery of them because…we will need more aircraft as demand comes back…to reduce ticket prices,” Kirana says.

His comments come as Batik Air Malaysia looks to have 17 Max 8s in its fleet by year-end.  The Airline has four in operation now, operating them to destinations farther afield, including Pakistan and Australia.

Indonesia was among the last few countries around the world to re-certify the aircraft following the grounding.

According to Kirana, Indonesia’s Lion Air has about 100 aircraft or about 80% of its operational fleet flying now, including 737 Max aircraft.

Source: Lion Air, FlightGlobalPicture Alfred Chua/FlightGlobal

                      

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Business Jets Reveals New President and Announces New BBJ MAX Orders

Boeing Business Jets(BBJ) has a new chief, with newly appointed president Erika Pearson making her EBACE show debut just two days into the role.  Pearson, who moved over from Boeing’s airliner business, says she is delighted by her new post.  “I am really looking forward to taking my experience from commercial aviation and translating it to this unique market segment.  This my first time at EBACE and I am really looking forward to the experience.”

Meanwhile, the company unveiled orders for four new BBJ Max aircraft which were booked in the first quarter on the back of “very strong demand”,  says Alex Fecteau, director of marketing.

“We had a good 2021 coming out of the pandemic and had four new orders at the start of this year and are looking forward to finishing up the last half of 2022 even more strongly.”

To aid future sale campaigns, the manufacturer has built a BBJ Max 7 demonstrator that will arrive in 2023, following certification of the baseline aircraft and installation long range fuel tanks and its interior.

At present, the BBJ family comprises the Max 7, 8 and 9, with no plans and present to extend that to the Max 10.

With more than 260 Boeing Business Jets sold since the group was founded in 1996, BBJs are supported by Boeing’s global service network—the largest OEM provided network of service, parts, and maintenance.

Source: Boeing, picture Boeing

Boeing Orders & Deliveries in May

Boeing delivered 35 planes in May was more than double the 17 jets it handed over the same month a year ago.  The delivery total for the first five months of the year is 165 aircraft, according to the data released on Tuesday, June 14.

The orders for the month included 23 gross orders, 17 of which were for widebody aircraft.  Among those, German carrier Lufthansa ordered seven 787 Dreamliners and seven 777-8F freighters.

Aircraft leasing tie-up Bain Capital ordered five 737 Max jets for Indian carrier Akasa Air in a sale-leaseback deal that saw Akasa cancel the same number of planes from its initial order, and sold American Airlines another 737 Max.

Source: Boeing.

                     

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                        Airbus Embarks on A321XLR Flight-Test Campaign

Airbus has commenced the flight-test campaign for its long-range A321X.   The aircraft, MSN11000, took off from Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport at 11:05 for a test flight that lasted approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes.  And it has successfully accomplished its first flight.

Airbus intends the aircraft to enter service in early 2024, offering carriers a range of up to 4,700nm.  While Airbus has already developed a long-range variant of the A321neo, known as the A321LR, the XLR will further enhance range capability.  It will feature a substantial modification of its fuel system with the inclusion of a large aft center tank.

Airbus initially unveiled the XLR at the Paris air show in June 2019, and structural assembly of the jet began last year.

Source: Airbus, picture Airbus

Airbus Orders & Deliveries in May

Airbus deliveries in May were 47 aircraft for 27 customers and took orders for 13 aircraft.  The net year to date delivery number of 235 reflects a reduction of 2 deliveries to Aeroflot for which a transfer was not possible due to international sanctions.

Source: Airbus         

        

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

             Gulfstream Plans $55M Appleton Expansion, 200 New Jobs

Gulfstream Aerospace plans to hire more than 200 positions and invest $55 million in expanding its Appleton, Wisconsin site because of increased customer demand and its growing fleet of super-midsize and large-cabin jets.  The Appleton expansion involves the construction of a 73,000-sq-ft (6,782-sq-m) paint facility using a paint booth design developed by the airframer and Wisconsin-based paint booth manufacturer Global Finishing Solutions.  When operational, the facility will have the capability to paint up to 48 aircraft a year and enable the Appleton site to offer entire aircraft completions.  It is expected to open in the third quarter of 2023.

Additionally, Gulfstream has made several enhancements to its Appleton site, an office area for completions customers and pilots, wood finishing area, upgraded shipping and receiving area, and completions hanger with an employee break room and lockers.

The Appleton expansion follows Gulfstream’s expansion in St. Louis completions, as well as new facilities in Fort Worth, Texas and Mesa, Arizona, and expansion of its customer support call center in Farnborough, England.

“Gulfstream continues to make significant investments across the company to address both current demand and future growth in our completions and Customer Support operations,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns.

Source: Gulfstream, Image Gulfstream Aerospace       

                                                                  

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

             Eviation Readies for Alice Maiden Flight as Ground Tests Wrap Up

Eviation is gearing up for the first flight of its all-electric Alice prototype in the coming month having completed ground testing earlier in May.  However, the clean-sheet aircraft developer is staying tight-lipped on precisely when the proof-of- concept Alice prototype will take to the skies, simply saying it will occur “this summer”.

“We have a well-constructed program schedule we are working towards now”, interim chief executive Gregory Davis told FlightGlobal at EBACE business aviation show on May 24.  Davis declines to provide detail but says the results of ground tests convinced it to slow the push towards first flight.

“When we completed the ground-test program we found some things that we needed to tweak and that’s what we are working on as we prepare the aircraft for first flight,” he says.

Low-speed ground testing was wrapped on 2 May, says Davis, with the aircraft having been taken to a maximum speed of 86kt(160km/h). High-speed taxi trials, including the crucial take-off test, will only be performed once the aircraft has secured its experimental permit to fly.

Davis says flights of the first of three certification aircraft will begin in 2024.  This should lead to type approval for the pressurized version from the US Federal Aviation Administration under Part 23 regulations in 2025.  Eviation anticipates cargo operations beginning that same year and passenger flights using the pressurized model starting in 2026.

Eviation continues to develop the supply chain for the Alice, with several key partners already identified; for example, sister company Magnix is providing twin Magni650 electric motors and GKN Aerospace is to build the wing.  However, the manufacturer of the fuselage and T-tail has yet to be disclosed.

Final assembly of the Alice will take place in Arlington, Washington.  Sales efforts for the Alice are meanwhile gathering momentum as Aviation looks to add to its current 87-unit backlog: 12 in a cargo configuration for DHL and 75 of the nine seat commuter variant for US regional airline Cape Air.  More to come on the Alice.

Source: Eviation Aircraft,Picture Eviation

                                 Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 Engine On Home Stretch

Rolls-Royce is wrapping up testing on its Pearl 700 engine for the ultra-long-range Gulfstream G700 and shifting to “production mode” said Colm Golden, Rolls-Royce’s senior v-p for the Pearl program.  The Company has delivered several engine chipsets to the OEM and already has issued two-thirds of the necessary certification reports.

Meanwhile, Golden reports that the test campaign on the Pearl 10X for Dassault’s large cabin flagship is also proceeding well.  Both the Pearl 700 and 10X are rated to produce more than 18,000 pounds of thrust and deliver significant increases in efficiency.

Compared to the Rolls-Royce RB725 that powers the GulfStream G^50 series, the Pearl 700 delivers an 8 percent increase in takeoff thrust, a 12 percent better thrust-to-ratio, and a 5 percent higher efficiency.  Rolls-Royce has achieved these gains by mating advanced materials and manufacturing techniques, including the use of 3D-printed combustor tiles.

Golden stressed that the Pearl’s highly-efficient core is really its secret sauce and that by optimizing it and the parts around it, Rolls-Royce has developed “the most efficient core in business aviation.  Our technology provides new tools to our designers that can really take us to the next level, enabling smaller cores that provide better performance.  With bigger aircraft, cores really need to get smaller,”

Golden said, The “Advance2” core on the Pearl features a 10-stage, high-pressure compressor with six titanium blinks and a 41:1 pressure ratio.

Source: Rolls-Royce, picture Rolls-Royce

IcelandAir Signs Preliminary Deal to Buy Four 737 Max Jets From Boeing’s Built Backlog

IcelandAir has signed a letter of intent to acquire four Boeing 737 Max aircraft from the manufacturer’s backlog of built aircraft.

The aircraft were built in 2018 and are scheduled for delivery in the autumn of this year.  They will take IcelandAir’s fleet of jets to 18.Cirium fleets data shows it has eight Max 8s and four Max 9s in service and a further two Max8s on order that are due for delivery in late June.  Icelandair does not specify the variant of the four jets covered by the Lol.

Iceland Air chief executive Bogi Nils Bogason says: We are pleased to announce a further expansion to our fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft on favorable terms.  The Max has proven to be a good fit to our route network and its fuel efficiency contributes positively to our efforts of reducing the carbon emissions from our operations.

“We have been ramping up our operations,” he adds. ”This summer we offer direct flights from Iceland to 44 destinations, up to five times a day.  This addition to our fleet allows us to further increase our services by adding new destinations and increasing frequency to our current destinations.”

Source: Icelandair, Picture Boeing              

LATEST NEWS

• Jin Air has resumed flying its Pratt & Whitney PW 4000-powered Boeing 777-200 ERs becoming the first and only possibly Asia-pacific operator to return the PW4000-powered 777 to service after a year-long grounding.

• Swoop On June 15-SMBC Aviation Capital has announced the delivery of one Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft Swoop airlines.

• Atlas Air took delivery of another 747-8 Freighter, leaving the airframer with just three undelivered 747-8Fs and bringing the Jet’s 50-year-plus production run one step nearer to the end.

• Indian Startup Akasa Air has taken delivery of its first aircraft, a Boeing 737 Max 8 at a ceremony in Seattle, Washington.

• AerCap the world’s top aircraft lessor said it had decided to stick to an order for up to 68 MAX jets placed by General Electric’s GECAS leasing arm, even though it had the right to cancel it after acquiring GECAs.

• Vietnam’s Vietjet Air has reaffirmed its order for 200 Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft, which it had put on hold after the grounding of the type in 2019.

• International Airlines Group(IAG) has confirmed that it has finalized negotiations with Boeing for up to 150 Boeing MAX jets.

• Turkish Airlines acquired originally destined 737 Maxs for Russia’s S7 Airlines is now going to Turkish Airlines and its leisure subsidiary Anadolujet.

• ANA Japan’s All Nippon Airways will apply new lives to a pair of Boeing 787s to highlight its sustainability efforts, and to also research ways to reduce the impact of flying on the environment.

• Norwegian has firmed its deal for 50 Boeing 737 Max 8, which are due to join the fleet between 2025 and 2028.

Sources: Turkish Airlines, IAG, ANA, SMBC, AerCap, Atlas Air,Boeing

AIR CARGO

                       CMA CGM Air Cargo has received its first 2 Boeing 777 Freighters

CMA CGM Air Cargo, a global leader in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, announced on June 9th the delivery of its two first Boeing 777 Freighters and the purchase of two more.  Four Boeing 777 Freighters will join the CMA CGM Air Cargo fleet.

At the ceremony signing held in Everett, WA, CMA CGM Air Cargo took delivery of its second Boeing 777 Freighter, after the reception of its first Freighter on May 31st. These planes both come from the order CMA CGM Air Cargo placed in the spring of 2021.  The purchase of the two Boeing 777 Freighters was the first direct order since the CMA CGM Group announced the launch of its dedicated air cargo transportation division in February, 2021.

CMA  CGM Air Cargo also officially disclosed an order for two additional Boeing 777 Freighters.  When delivered, the new planes will complete a fleet of at least 12 Boeing and Airbus aircraft by 2026.  This additional order means that CMA CGM will have a total of four Boeing 777 Freighters in its fleet.

Source: CMA CGM Air Cargo,Picture Boeing

                       Textron Delivers First Cessna SkyCourier to FedEx

Textron Aviation has delivered to FedEx the first Cessna SkyCourier turboprop, a milestone coming 4.5 years after the Wichita airframer launched the program.

FedEx is launch customer of the clean-sheet SkyCourier, which Textron Aviation markets as a cargo and special-mission aircraft, and as a 19-passenger airliner.

The company, which owns Cessna, disclosed the first delivery on May 9.  FedEx holds orders for 50 of the aircraft, which are powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-655C turbo props.  FedEx also holds options to order another 50 of the type, according to Textron.

The freighter variant of SkyCourier has a range of 940nm(1,741km), with the ability to carry payload up to 2,722kg (6,000lb) and maximum cruise speed of 210Kt(389km/h), according to Textron Aviation.

Source: Textron Aviation,Picture Textron Aviation

                         

  Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

ON THE BOEING FRONT

                        Boeing Enters 737 MAX MRO Agreement with Spirit AeroSystems

 The agreement will enhance Boeing support for nacelle and flight control surface removals with more robust MRO footprint; while combining Boeing’s industry-leading asset pool with hands-on repair experience of Spirit AeroSystems.

“With this agreement, Boeing Global Services is strategically positioned to assist all 737 MAX operators by providing lease and exchange programs to respond quickly to unforeseen events,” said Mini Desai, Vice President of commercial spares and managed parts, Boeing Global Services.

“ Our business serves our customer base beyond the sale of aircraft, and now we can expand lease and exchange support for aerostructures with SpiritAeroSystems.”

“ Spirit is thrilled to be selected by Boeing Global Services as its global partner for 737 MAX aero structures repair, including Nacelle and Flight Control Services,” said Kailash Krishnaswamy, senior vice president of aftermarket services for Spirit.

“Over the last three years, we have expanded from a single MRO center in Wichita to five MRO centers on four continents, which will allow us to serve Boeing’s global customers locally. This strategic partnership will allow us to provide customized, high-quality MRO solutions at industry leading turn-around times for our customers’ 737 MAX nacelles and flight controls.” 

Source: Boeing/SpiritAeroSystems/Picture Boeing

                                  Boeing Orders and Deliveries for April

Boeing’s new orders in April included 44 737 Max, including six and nine orders by lessors AerCap and Aviation Capital Group respectively. Unidentified customers accounted for 28 of the orders, together with an order for 737-based Boeing Business jet from an unnamed customer. In addition Boeing took orders for two 777Fs from unidentified customer or customers.

Boeing delivered 35 aircraft in April, including 29 737s. The delivered 737s included one 737NG- P-8 military surveillance aircraft for the US Navy.

Customers that took MAX aircraft during April include 777Partners, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Lease, Alaska Airlines, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, FlyDubai, Gol, China’s ICBC leasing, Lynx Air, Oman Air, Ryanair, Southwest Airlines and TUI.

Boeing also delivered one 747-8F to UPS, three 777-300ERs to Thai Airways (via lessor BOC Aviation) and two 767-based KC-46 tankers to the US Air force.

Boeing deliveries of 787 remain halted, a result of manufacturing quality problems.

Source: Boeing

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                   Airbus Tweaks A320 Software to Address Go-Around Pitch-Up Issue

Airbus has tweaked the flight guidance software for A320-family jets to address a pitch-up issue which could occur under certain circumstances on go-around.

The modification followed an incident involving an unstable approach by an A321neo during which a go-around was initiated with the autopilot engaged. According to the European Union Safety Agency, the resulting pitch-up attitude led the autopilot to disconnect. EASA says this was traced to the combination of take-off thrust being activated, with the autopilot engaged, and the jet in high-lift configuration, within 50s of full speed brake retraction.

EASA Points out that such a scenario was “never encountered” during actual operations. But it says that pitch-up situation could nevertheless result in higher workload at a critical point of the flight.

In May 2020 the authority issued a directive notifying crews, through a temporary flight-manual revision of the condition and adapting speed brake procedures.

Airbus has since developed new flight guidance software standards and issued installation instructions.

EASA is ordering the upgrade on the affected aircraft models, which include A319s and A320neo-family variants.

Source: FlightGlobal, Picture Airbus

Airbus Orders and Deliveries For April

Airbus’s single-aisle business was lifted by the order for 80 jets from Lessor BOC Aviation, although the drought of twin-mile activity was alleviated only slightly by Air France’s firming of four A350 freighters. 

Air Canada and Iberia  took four and two A321neos respectively, while an undisclosed customer has ordered six A320neo-family jets, including a pair of A319neos.

It delivered 48 jets in April that included five A350s and two A330s, plus four A220s and 37 from the A320neo family.

Source: Airbus            

Regional/Business Jets

                        Platoon Aviation’s Fleet Grows to Four Pilatus PC-24s

German charter operator Latoon Aviation received its fourth Pilatus PC-24 at Aero Friedrichshafen, with the ceremonial handover taking place in the presence of officials from Pilatus and Air Alliance. The latter company is the authorized Pilatus sales center for Germany and Austria.

Hamburg-based Platoon Aviation, which has more of the Pilatus light twinsets on order, took delivery of its first PC-24 in the first quarter 2021.Its all-PC-24 fleet provides charter flights to a plethora of European destinations, including popular summer holiday destinations such as Olbia, Nice, Majorca, and Naples the company said.

“The PC-24 is at the cutting edge of technology and offers passengers the highest level of comfort, flat floorer high-quality workmanship of materials,” said Platoon Aviation managing director Deniz Weissenborn.

Platoon Aviation v-p of general aviation Ignaz Gretener said he is pleased with the rapid growth of the company’s PC-24 fleet.

Source: Platoon Aviation

           Short Take-Off ATR 42 Variant Carriers Out Maiden Flight

Turboprop manufacturer ATR has conducted the maiden flight of a short take-off variant of its ATR 42-600 from Francazal airport near Toulouse.

The 30-to 50-seat, designated the 42-600S, is designed to operate to and from reduced-length runways. 

ATR says the aircraft(F-WWLY) departed at 10:00on May 11th, and that sortie lasted 2h 15 min. It flew several parallel tracksuit various altitudes, just north of the Pyrenees mountain range.

“The crew on board performed a number of tests to measure the upgraded aircraft systems’ performance,” the company states.

Equipment including a new multifunctional computer, autobrake, and ground spoiler system well as adapted take-off capabilities, will be individually tested. ATR will fit a larger rudder, which will form part of the aircraft’s final configuration, towards the end of this year and enter the certification phase in 2023. Customers including airlines and lessors have so far committed to 20 of the short take-off and landing variant.

ATR claims around 500 airports worldwide have runways of 800-1,000m(2624-3280 t) which could support operations with the modified aircraft.

Source: ATR, picture ATR

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

                   SMBC Acquiring Goshawk To Create Lessor with Over 700 Aircraft

Japanese-owned SMBC Aviation Capital is to acquire fellow Irish-based lessor Goshawk Aviation under a transaction valued at $6.7 billion. It will create the second-largest lessor worldwide in terms of aircraft numbers, and the largest to be owned by Japanese interests.

SMBC will take over Goshawk following an agreement with NWS Holdings and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises. It will acquire 176 owned and managed aircraft, giving SMBC a total of 709—although any Goshawk aircraft located in Russia will be excluded from the deal.

“Goshawk is a high-quality business with assets and people that complement our own,” says SMBC Aviation Capital chief Peter Barrett. He adds that the agreement is the “right transaction” for the company, enabling it to “better serve” its customers in a “ fast-evolving sector”.

Twenty-four new customer airlines will become clients of SMBC as a result of the deal.

SMBC Aviation Capital shareholder Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and leasing adds that it is” fully supportive” of the proposed acquisition, which will be financed by a combination of debt and equity.

It expects the transaction to close in the second half of this year. The combined entity, with total assets of $37 billion, will be based in Dublin and have a single corporate structure. Over 80% of the portfolio’s net book value will be single-aisle aircraft.

Goshawk confirms that its shareholders, NWS and Chow Tai Took Enterprise, have granted approval for the acquisition.

Source: SMBC Aviation Capital, Picture SMBC Aviation Capital

                         It’s the Wedgetail: Air Force to Buy E7 to Replace AWACS

        The Air Force announced in late April it will replace part of the E-7 Sentry, or Airborne Warning and Control System fleet with Boeing E-7 Wedgetails.

In a release, the service said the decision to go with the Wedgetail was based on market research and that it is “the only platform” that could meet all of the Defense Department’s requirements for tactical battle management, command and control, and target tracking in time to replace the aging E-3, which dates back to the 1970s.

The Air Force plans to award a contract to Boeing in fiscal 2023 for the Wedgetail, which was developed by Australia for its air force.

The service’s proposed 2023 budget calls for retiring 15 E-3s, or about half the fleet, from Tinker Air Force base in Oklahoma. It would provide $227 million in research, development, test and funds for the replacement. The first rapid prototype E-7 would be delivered in 2027.

The Air Force said it plans to fund a second rapid Prototype aircraft in fiscal 2024 and aims to make a production decision the following year on fielding more Wedgetails. The release did not say how many Wedgetails the Air Force might eventually buy.

The E-7 is a heavily modified 737NG.

Source: AirForceTimes

                           Royal Jordanian Achieves Full Compliance of 2022 IOSA

         Royal Jordanian has renewed IATA’s Operational Safety Audit(IOSA) registration for the year 2022. RJ Vice Chairman & CEO Samer Majali said: “Obtaining the IOSA registration is proof of RJ’s continued work to comply with air safety standards and adherence to international practices. This is an achievement attained through the efforts of all employees working diligently to keep an exemplary record.”

The IOSA audit was conducted by a team of Auditors from AQS Audition IATA-accredited audit organization. The Audit was conducted against a checklist of over 900 safety standards and recommended practices for all the operational departments.

The Audit, which is effective until April 14th, 2024, covered several RJ operational areas, including Flight Operations, Engineering and Maintenance, Cabin Operations, Corporate Safety, Corporate Quality Management, Crew Training, Dispatch and operational control, Ground and Cargo Operations, Corporate Security and Human Resources.

RJ’s first IOSA audit was carried out in 2004-being the first airline in the region to obtain the IOSA registration at that time. According to IATA, 437 airlines are IOSA registered today.

Source: Royal Jordanian,Picture Royal Jordanian

LATEST NEWS

• Texel Air Middle Eastern operator is ordering another pair of Boeing 737-800 converted freighters, having received the regions first example in January.
• EVA Air has ordered one Boeing 777 freighters the airline eyes opportunities in a buoyant cargo market.

• CMA CGM French logistics firm is to take up to a 9% stake in Air France-KLM as part of a new long-term partnership under which they will work together their respective air cargo capacity.

• United Airlines has received FAA approval to gradually return its 52 Pratt & Whitney-powered Boeing 222-200s to service.

• Lessor AerCap said it decided to stick to an order for up to 68 Boeing 737 MAX jets placed by General Electric’s GECAS leasing arm, even though it had the right to cancel it after acquiring GECAS.

• Indian Start-up Carrier Akasa Air has unveiled its first Boeing 737 Max in the airline’s livery. The orange-purple color scheme on the jet(VT-YAA) features a stylized A on the fin, with the design inspired by birds, an aircraft wing, and the sun.

• British Airways owner IAG has agreed to order 50 Boeing 737 Max jets. IAG will take delivery of 25 Max 8200 aircraft and a further 25 MAX-10. The deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2023-2027.

Sources: AerCap, CMA CGM, United Airlines, Texel Air,EVA Air,FlightGlobal,

AIR CARGO

                             Lufthansa Orders Seven Boeing 777-8 Freighters

Boeing received a welcome boost to its 777X program on Monday, May 9th, as Lufthansa Group placed an order for seven 777-8 Freighters scheduled for first delivery in 2027. Orders for two of the company’s present-day 777 Freighters and 787-9s accompanied the 777-8F deal, cementing Lufthansa’s commitment to Boeing widebody products. Lufthansa Group signed as launch customer for the 777-9 passenger airplane in 2013. The new deal for 787-9s brings the group’s order total for the Dreamliner family to 32.

The deals come about two weeks after Boeing confirmed it would delay the first delivery of the 777X until 2025; reassessing the time it would need to meet FAA’s stricter certification requirements. Originally expected to win certification in 2020, the 777X has suffered through no fewer than three major schedule delays.

“We continue investing in more fuel-efficient, quieter and more economical aircraft that emit significantly less CO2,” said Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Sphr.

“This enables us to drive our fleet modernization. By purchasing these State-of-the-art aircraft, we again underline Lufthansa Group’s ability to invest in and shape the future. Once again, we are taking the initiative and expanding our leadership role as well as taking responsibility for the environment—with premium products for our customers and a sustainable fleet.” 

Source: Lufthansa, Picture Lufthansa

                      Ethiopian Airlines Emerges as Customer for More 777Fs

Ethiopian Airlines has emerged as the customer behind an order for five Boeing 777 freighters previously attributed to an unidentified operator. The African carrier is already a 777F operator, having previously ordered eight directly from Boeing.

Ethiopian Airlines chief Mesfin Tasew says the additional jets will enable the airline to meet “growing demand” in its cargo operation. While cementing our partnership with Boeing with new orders, the growth of our freighter fleet takes the capacity and efficiency of our shipment service to the next level,” he adds.

Ethiopian Airlines had recently signed a provisional agreement to acquire five Boeing 777-8Fs, based on the 777X aircraft family. “ We always strive to serve our customers with the latest technology aircraft the aviation industry could offer,” insists Tasew.

General Electric GE90 engines are fitted as standard to the 777F, while the -8F will be equipped with GE9X powerplants.

Source: Boeing, Ethiopian Airlines, Picture Boeing

 OTHER NOTEWORTHY NEWS

                                                      Airbus and the Great Rate Wrangle

Faced with backlog for the A320 family that as the end of April was within touching distance of 6,000 aircraft, Airbus has a problem.

Sure, it is a problem born of success, but a problem nonetheless: how does it deliver all those aircraft to customers in a timely fashion?

If Airbus builds 50 of the aircraft per month, it would take almost 10 years to fight through the backlog, and even at rate of 65—to be attained by mid 2023—that only drops to seven and a half years.

While not all those orders will complete—there may well be further cancellations down the road—the broader air travel market, particularly for short-to medium-haul traffic is recovering.

Higher fuel prices are also driving a switch to new-generation aircraft that fly more frugally. And the febrile recovery in long-haul seems to be spurring demand for long-range narrow bodies such as the A321XLR.

Based on those metrics, Airbus clearly sees market demand as supporting its decision for even higher production rates. Accordingly it has taken the decision to advance the thrust levers, confirming a plan to take monthly output of the A320neo family to 75 aircraft or 900 per year by 2025.

But the airframes’s single-aisle backlog is lopsided these days: where once the A320 ruled, now the larger A321neo is King, almost 60% of the order book or 3,447 aircraft is for A321neos. This is a problem not all the airframer’s final assembly lines can currently build the largest of its family members.

Internal reconfiguration is under way to change that — along with a further expansion by mid-2025 at the company’s site in Mobile, Alabama— as is reshaping of Airbus’s aerostructures units in France and Germany to better support its own operation.

However, there are limits to what the airframer can do on its own-it needs the rest of the supply chain to move in lock-step with it in order to achieve those higher rates without encountering production snarls or shortages.

But the aerospace recovery is not uniform. The tier ones are mostly coping, but further down the supply chain there are companies that weathered Covid-19 less well. Shortages of staff, parts, castings and forgings for engines, notably and raw materials are all reported. On top of this, there is rising inflationary pressure.

Airbus says it has canvassed its supply chain about the future rate rise, but it remains to be seen how well it will cope; particularly as Boeing will also be increasing out put of its 737 Max family simultaneously.

The nightmare scenario is a return to the sight of gliders – completed aircraft without engines – cluttering Toulouse or Renton.

It is also worth remembering the fragility of the recovery Covid-19 has not gone away; Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent problems rippling outwards; and sections in large parts of the global economy cannot be ruled out. Airbus’s suppliers will not thank it if output is accelerated, then sharply yanked back  in the face of tepid demand.

In a sense, Airbus is damned if it does, and damned if it doesn’t: it cannot sit on that enormous backlog forever. But its bold move to push production to 75 jets per month is very clearly not without its fair share of supply chain risk.

Source: This article was quoted in its entirety from FlightGlobal and printed on 22 May 2022, Picture Airbus

Researched and Compiled by : 

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor  

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian